Richard Rottiers - Moulin-à-Vent Dernier Souffle 2023

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Richard Rottiers was one of the victims most affected by the incessant hailstorms of recent vintages. On the verge of bankruptcy, he managed to find a second wind in some well-made négociant cuvées. The 2018 wines were finishing their aging in barrels at the time of our visit. The quality is superb and should give our dear winemaker some respite. In the meantime, the 2017 vintages, currently on sale, are consistent, structured and, despite modest quantities, reasonably priced.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

The Moulin-à-Vent Dernier Souffle 2023 is a fruity and succulent wine, but also refined, with notes of rose petals, juicy cherries, vine smoke, and sweet spices. It is full-bodied, with ripe acidity and a concentrated core of juicy fruit. This richness is framed by well-integrated tannins that give it a velvety texture, with a dimensional finish tinged with graphite. This is a generous wine that will undoubtedly benefit from being kept in the bottle or, at the very least, decanted to allow it to blossom.

About the estate:

One of the region's most dedicated organic farmers, Richard Rottiers suffered during the 2016 and 2017 vintages, which saw Moulin-à-Vent ravaged by hail. But 2018 represented a return to some sort of normality, and he produced a fine set of wines; a feat he has repeated with a 2019 portfolio that is livelier and finer than its predecessors. Semi-carbonic maceration is followed by aging in large oak vats and barrels, depending on the cuvée. Everything reviewed here comes highly recommended.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Richard Rottiers belongs to the generation that has promoted the climates of Beaujolais. An engineer specializing in agriculture and the environment, he is passionate about soil life. After gaining experience in New Zealand, this native of Chablis settled in Romanèche-Thorins. He made wine in Fleurie in 2003, then trained in vineyard and cellar management for three years at Château Thivin. In 2008, he took over a leased estate in Moulin-à-Vent, which he runs organically. He made his debut in the guide last year.

Wine Enthusiast

Jancis Robinson

Vinous

About wine:

Moulin-à-Vent Dernière Souffle 2023 is bottled a few months later than the other vintages. It has aromas of redcurrant and cranberry on the nose, with slight earthy notes in the background. The palate is medium-bodied, with crisp red fruit, more bite than the Champ de Cour and more substance on the finish. This wine is brimming with potential.