August 30, 2023 - From magnum, this is excellent: plump and plummy, a light fringe of chewy tannins, refreshing acidity on the palate. All you could ask for from a 2011 cru Beaujolais in 2023.
March 1, 2023 - This is zestier and more vital than the 2011 Chermette Trois Roches Moulin opened over the weekend - which was tired, likely past its peak. Still, I would say, drink up while the vitality is there. Need to check on all my other 2011 Beaujolais now, these have matured faster than I'd expected.
July 1, 2022 - In a good spot. No reason not to drink, no sense of urgency.
February 8, 2022 - This bottle is nicely-evolved relative to the one I opened last May - smoother, less obtrusive tannins, overall suaver. Very pleasant red berry with a bit of stone and refreshing acidity. Less volume than the Trois Roches opened last week, the fruit of which was plummier; less challenging, more rewarding to drink on its own now. Possibly the Moulin's brooding quality implies more potential down the road, or it might pair better with fatty red meat.
Since I stopped eating dinners last year, wine is not so much a part of the food I eat as of the music I listen to, and I am now, alas, ill-equipped to comment on food-wine pairings.
December 17, 2021 - Shows a taste of sweet decay that I have found hard to catch. It is very appealing. Taking variation into account, this particular bottle is teetering on the edge between the full height of its glory and decrepitude. But right now, nothing short of glorious.
June 3, 2021 - This bottle was at another level from the last one in 2017. Carries the cherry and earth in a deeper, more resonant range now. This is serious cru Beaujolais and an absolute steal. I almost always like good Beaujolais but I rarely find it to carry much gravitas. This does.
May 14, 2021 - Similar tale for this cru as for the Trois Roches Moulin-a- Vent from the same vintage. Better the second day than the first, and stands up very well to careless treatment for. three days, at least. Though I often prefer the Garants, in this year, the Moulin gets the nod, as being fuller, rounder, and therefore more balanced, in the context of the high-acidity wines of Beaujolais. This Garant was sturdy, solid, a good glass of wine, but only that. Drunk over a few days without food - no doubt, with food, this would show better. Steak, I think.
April 29, 2021 - Last of 6 bottles - dark red with a clear meniscus. On nose, wet stone, dried cherry, tart cherry, plum (darker fruit) and touch of dirt. On palate, medium+ body, medium acidity, integrated tannins and long finish. Fruit brighter on palate than nose (strawberry & cherry). Got better with 30 minutes of air. I'd drink now given fruit is slightly oxidized on nose (but not palate). 90+/-
Would buy more recent vintages of this - this aged very well, especially given the "poor" vintage.
March 17, 2021 - Delicious tart red fruit on the nose, nice acid, and a great finish of orange peel. Still tasting pretty young. Drink now or hold for a few more years.
February 28, 2021 - Forest and earth on the nose. Dark red fruit and long finish. After a few hours, has almost a Rhone-like nose. Very good.