1999 Domaine de Vissoux Moulin a Vent

[wondersofwine]

On label says Moulin a Vent, Rochegres.
Put in bottle by Pierre-Marie Chermette. Alcohol by volume 13%. Chilled when opened. Allowed to warm to room temperature. Color: purple-red, almost opaque. Viscous fluidity.
Nose: black cherries, dark berries, dark fruits, violets. Taste: dark cherries. Disconcerting cola or Dr. Pepper note that I didn't care for--seemed to fade a little after extended breathing. The first night I had with soup, salad and bing cherries. The second night I had with salad and smoked Gouda cheese. Still prefer the 1998 Georges DeBoeuf Moulin a Vent although this was pleasant, especially with the cherries and cheese. If this is a typical Moulin a Vent, I think I prefer the Fleurie (both the Domaine de Vissoux Fleurie Les Garants and the Georges DeBoeuf.)

[hotwine]

Hmmm. Moulin-A-Vent remains the premier Cru Beaujolais IMHO Wow. Try Duboeuf's, if you can find it. I still have a few of his '98's in the M-A-V, Fleurie and Chiroubles. I don't recognize the cola attribute at all; hope that was just a fluke.

[wondersofwine]

I hope so too. I did like the 1998 M-A-V from Georges Duboeuf. I have a 2000 Domaine de Vissoux M-A-V on hand and may open it next to compare with the 1999 I just had. May also look for some from Duboeuf to store as M-A-V is supposed to age better than other Beaujolais crus and I am curious as to how an older Beaujolais develops. When I tried the 1998 from Duboeuf I felt that it was not at all faded and could go several more years.

[hotwine]

I had been under the impression (until corrected by CCK a couple of years ago) that even Cru Beaujolais had fairly short legs, good for only a couple of years after release. But since being chastised for my ignorance, I've been holding back a few. We'll see what develops by judicious sampling.