Chateau Moulin Riche St. Julien Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Moulin Riche St. Julien with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, information on vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all the best Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Moulin Riche History, Overview

The history of Chateau Moulin Riche in the modern era has its beginnings in 1920 when the estate was purchased by the Cuvelier family. By 1920, the Cuvelier family were already well-established in Bordeaux as chateau owners and negociants.

In fact, the Cuvelier family had over 100 years of history in the region by that time, as they got their start in Bordeaux the same way numerous other future chateau owners did, as negociants, or wine merchants. They date back all the way to 1804.

By the time they purchased Chateau Moulin Riche in the Saint Julien appellation, they already owned vineyards in the Medoc including, Chateau Le Crock in St. Estephe, which they purchased in 1903. They were also the owners of Chateau Camensac in the Haut Medoc appellation and Chateau Leoville Poyferre.

While Chateau Moulin Riche is bottled and sold as its own, unique brand until quite recently, that was not the case. The wine was really thought of as the unofficial second wine of Chateau Leoville Poyferre. That changed with the already, legendary 2009 vintage.

In that year, it was decided that Moulin Riche would be produced from its own specific vineyard parcels. Today, the second wine of Chateau Leoville Poyferre is Pavillon de Leoville Poyferre.

The Moulin Riche logo continues to look quite similar to Leoville Poyferre. This is by design. The similarity to their other wines helps customers identify with the Cuvelier family wines. Since the sublime 2009 vintage, Chateau Moulin Riche has continued to gain popularity as its own brand and distinctive wine.

Starting with the 2018 vintage, Moulin Riche introduced a second wine, M de Moulin Riche, which is where they place most of their Petit Verdot. In fact, the debut vintage is almost 70% Petit Verdot!

Chateau Moulin Riche Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 20 hectare Left Bank vineyard of Chateau Moulin Riche is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 30% Petit Verdot. It is important to note that there are occasions when the Petit Verdot is very ripe, and can also be used for Leoville Poyferre. The terroir is gravel with limestone soils.

To produce the wine of Chateau Moulin Riche, vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation occurs in vats.

The wine is then aged in a combination of new and used, French oak barrels for between 18 to 20 months before bottling. The same technical team that produces Leoville Poyferre is in charge of Moulin Riche. On average, close to 10,000 cases of Moulin Riche are produced each vintage. There is a second wine, a M de Moulin Riche.

The best vintages of Chateau Moulin Riche are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

When to Drink Chateau Moulin Riche, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Moulin Riche can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 hour or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Moulin Riche is usually better with at least 3-5 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Moulin Riche offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 5-12 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Moulin Riche with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Moulin Riche is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Moulin Riche is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, stewed, and grilled dishes. Moulin Riche is also good when served with Asian dishes, hearty seafood, or richly textured fish like tuna, mushrooms, pasta, and cheese.

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