Château Moulin du Rey is a red wine that embodies tradition while maintaining a simplicity that wins you over from the very first sip. We are in Entre-deux-Mers, that fertile and generous strip of land between France’s two great rivers, the Garonne and the Dordogne. This area is often referred to as the “garden of Bordeaux”, as nature here flourishes in all its diversity. The soils are a mix of clay and limestone, which the vines seem to love, yielding grapes full of juice and vitality. The château’s name, evoking an old mill, takes us back to a time when agriculture was a mosaic of different crops. Today, that biodiversity lives on in the eclectic character of the wines produced in this corner of the world, where the oceanic climate tempers the summers, ensuring slow and perfect ripening. In this blend, Merlot accounts for 70%, providing the round, fruity body that makes the wine so appealing. Cabernet Franc contributes 20%, adding elegance and aromatic finesse. The remaining 10% of Cabernet Sauvignon gives the finished wine a solid backbone and a decisive character. After harvest, a pre-fermentation cold maceration of about one week is carried out to extract the fruit and its most delicate aromas without harshness. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature, with frequent pump-overs to oxygenate the must. The wine then rests for a further three weeks to stabilise its ruby colour and soften the tannins. In the glass, it stands out for its beautiful ruby colour with violet highlights that reveal its youth. On the nose, it is expressive and dominated by crisp notes of fresh red fruit, such as cherries and raspberries. On the palate, it reveals a solid – yet never heavy – structure, supported by silky tannins that glide effortlessly. A clean, honest and very well-made wine. Try it with a platter of savoury cured meats or pasta dishes with ragù.