Moulis

Facts
Moulis-en-Médoc or Moulis as it more commonly known is the smallest of the Médoc appellations, it's vineyards spanning 1,300 acres. Lying 9 miles northwest of the city of Bordeaux, it lies closer to the Atlantic in the West of Médoc.

Moulis is taken from the French word for windmill, for which the region is famous. Moulis falls half way between Margaux and Saint-Julien, and takes the shape of a narrow band some 4 ½ miles long, on the left bank of the Gironde Estuary.

Moulis has the Médoc's highest number of Crus Classé Châteaux – the stars of which are Château Poujeaux and Château Chasse Spleen both of which are rated Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel. This is a special recognition for quality and potential reserved for the top 9 of the 100 plus Châteaux in Bordeaux that are rated Cru Bourgeois. Moulis has 26 Crus Bourgeois which have an excellent reputation.

Terroir and Grapes
Moulis is hilly country, studded with a diversity of Garonne and Pyrenees gravels, chalk, limestone and clay and this results in wines of differing characters. The grapes grown are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. As the terroir is so varied so are the wines so it pays to know about the parcel of soil that each wine comes from.

Wine Style
Moulis produces wines which are a deep, intense ruby colour with an elegant bouquet and fine structure. The wines are ready to drink earlier than other Médoc wines but the strength of their tannins allow them longevity.

Château Poujeaux's vineyard is planted on the finest outcrops of Günz gravel, which gives wines with a violet and blackcurranty nose with a touch of raspberry brightness and cedar. Château Chasse Spleen sits on a pocket of Garonne gravel and chalk and this gives a rounded wine with a charming nose of spice and plum.