Tasted in Romanèche-Thorins with Eric Janin, 14 April 2016.
Domaine Paul Janin & Fils
La Chanilière
71570 Romanèche-Thorins
Tel: +33 3 85 35 52 80
www.domaine-paul-janin.fr
Eric Janin is the 4th generation of the family to run what is now an 8 hectare domaine. Eric also makes a little Beaujolais Villages in the garden of the domaine that includes a little chardonnay too. Eric works raisonée in the vines, ploughing, and is working towards organic management.
Only semi-carbonic fermentations are used here, with lots of remontage at the start before closing the tank to finish its fermentation without oxygen – “It really makes for more complexity” says Eric. “We have 2 cuvées from Moulin à Vent, the first is a generic cuvée ‘Tremblay’ which is the name of an old lieu-dit bought in 1933-37 by my grandfather – now it’s called Burdelines – my grandfather actually began bottling in the 1950s with the name Tremblay so it’s staying in the family!”
The main market for the domaine is France – 60%. Pricing ex domaine is €13 + €18 euros for the two wines.
The wines…
“A classic vintage but a very nice classic!” Says Eric.
2014 Moulin à Vent Les Vignes Tremblay
A big assembly of multiple domaine terroirs. Just a little destemming to provide some juice, 12-13 days of cuvaison, 11 months elevage
Nice colour, transparent but still dark. Crunchy, dark, attractive fruit. Really juicy fruit, fresh, a growing structure before – but essentially a very tasty fresh dark fruited beverage. Wide on the palate with a little tannin and a little bitterness in the extract – but tasty wine!
Once called the Clos de Tremblay – vines over 80 years old. Also about 11 months elevage – exactly the same for both wines – all elevage in stainless-steel – ‘Really the difference is the terroir.’
Also a good, deep but still attractive nose. Gelée fruit – the first on this visit – a crystaline and simply gorgeous aroma. Also a little of the same for the fruit flavour. Of-course this is wrapped in a little structure and a fine freshness. Super clarity, indeed purity of dark fruit – as much bramble as cherry. Wow – Despite a cordial-like aspect, this wine is simply gorgeous!