The birthplace of a Great Wine
Located on the middle terrace of the Pomerol appellation, the vineyard of Château Moulinet spans 18 hectares as a single block. It is among the largest in the appellation, giving the estate a terroir of remarkable uniqueness.
The vineyard is situated in a region shaped by the Isle River, a tributary of the Dordogne. Positioned on the left bank, at an altitude of 10 to 20 meters, the soils consist of fine gravel and ancient sands, with subsoils of clay mixed with iron and manganese: the famous "crasse de fer" of Pomerol.
The plots where the "crasse de fer" is superficial produce more structured wines that contribute to the Château Moulinet blend, while those where the "crasse de fer" appears more deeply yield softer, fruitier wines that are used in the Clos Sainte Anne blend.
The vineyard of Château Moulinet benefits from a northern exposure and is characterized by temperate to cool microclimates, which is a considerable advantage, especially in the context of climate change.
The vineyard's varietal composition is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. In 2023, an additional hectare of Cabernet Franc was planted to evolve the blends towards greater freshness and fruitiness. The average age of the vines is between 35 and 45 years, with the oldest vines dating back to the early 1980s.
In-depth knowledge of the terroir
In 2020, a comprehensive soil study was conducted across the entire estate. This study was carried out by Maxime Christen, a renowned soil scientist based in Aquitaine for the past twenty years. His agroecological approach was a key factor in selecting this expertise.
This work now allows for precise knowledge of the various soils at Château Moulinet, enabling more accurate management of agronomic and oenological decisions in the short, medium, and long term.
A thoughtful and respectful vineyard management
The richness of Moulinet lies in the quality of vineyard maintenance over the past 40 years, during which cultivation methods have allowed for deep rooting. To preserve this legacy, a thoughtful and respectful viticulture continues to be practiced. No herbicides or weed killers are used.
In winter, pruning is carried out only on young wood to preserve the old wood and combat vine decline. The pruned wood is then removed from the vine, chipped, and returned to the soil to enrich it with organic matter, which is essential for soil fertility.
Several practices have been implemented to maintain maximum freshness in the wines: leaf removal is minimized, and grass cover and plant cover are preserved to keep the soils cool and maintain active microbial life. During green harvesting, yields are limited to between 37 and 42 hectoliters per hectare to optimize grape ripeness and preserve harvest quality.
Since 2018, Château Moulinet has adhered to the Bordeaux Environmental Management System (SME – ISO 14001) and is certified as High Environmental Value (HEV) level 3. Four hectares are being managed under organic farming as an experiment, with the potential for partial or full conversion of the vineyard in the future.
