Chateau des Bachelards Comtesse de Vazeilles Moulin-a-Vent 2019

96 points...for Beaujolais. Seriously, that never happens...and yet, this is just the latest in a long string of fantastic reviews for this producer. Without a doubt, under the guidance of Comtesse Alexandra de Vazeilles, Château des Bachelards has become the unquestioned finest producer in the region. Every. Single. Wine... They’re just that good.

Created by the Benedictine monks of Cluny around the year 1100, Château des Bachelards’ vineyards have been long revered by locals, sommeliers, and wine critics alike. Run by the Platet family for over 200 years, from 1793-2007, the estate is now managed by Alexandra de Vazeilles. Alexandra, the Comtesse de Vazeilles, who trained at Chateau Latour before taking on the domaine, has even surpassed the rigorous farming traditions upheld by both the Benedictine monks and the Platets, implementing organic and biodynamic techniques on top of next level additions like agroforestry in the vines, a permaculture vegetable garden, sheep for weed control and fertilization, naturally occurring bees, herbal medicine, horse-drawn soil cultivation, and more. This estate is widely considered to be making the best wines in its long and illustrious history, and let me tell you, as a team with decades of experience in food and wine, this wine is a revelation.

Moulin-à-Vent is known for a more powerful and structured Beaujolais, and this wine certainly marches that line. Brooding, intense aromas of black pepper, wild sage, and black currant, accompanied with more black fruits on the palate, with a savory, almost syrah-like meaty smokiness note... this may just be the most powerful Beaujolais you’ve ever tasted. No carbonic maceration; this is Burgundian elegance with a Northern Rhone iron fist.

The terroir of this Moulin-à-Vent bottling is a blend of several plots, with 80-100-year-old vines located on fine-grained, schist, and black granite rock. Along with clay particles imparting strength and power, the wine is balanced and honed by the limestone veins that bring freshness and tension. 24 months in barrel before bottling and a wine that is fresh and lively in the here and now, but with two decades of cellaring potential. What a treat! Grab some before it's gone!

PAIRING IDEAS: Trust me on this...Chinese stir-fry is the perfect match here. Specifically, this Chicken with Black Bean Sauce.

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: This wine is all about harmony and power...so naturally, I’m going Florence + The Machine here with “No Light, No Light”.