Domaine Paul Janin : Vignes du Tremblay 2015

Tasting Notes and Serving Tips for Vignes du Tremblay 2015 from Domaine Paul Janin

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a deep, intense ruby-red color.

Nose

The concentrated, ripe nose reveals aromas of black cherry and small black fruits, complemented by floral notes of peony and violet. Hints of minerality, licorice, and spice complete the bouquet, while a subtle smokiness and graphite nuances add an extra dimension to the whole.

Palate

The attack is smooth and straightforward, marked by remarkable tannic suppleness. The mid-palate reveals a fleshy, velvety texture with juicy, concentrated fruit. Subtle, well-integrated tannins provide structure without overpowering the expression of the fruit and terroir. The long, mellow, saline finish lingers with notes of red fruits and sweet spices.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Vignes du Tremblay 2015 pairs beautifully with roasted or grilled red meats, a beef bourguignon, or a rare rib steak. It also goes wonderfully with roast guinea fowl with mushrooms, as well as medium-aged cheeses such as Reblochon, Tomme de Savoie, or Saint-Nectaire. Rustic slow-cooked dishes, game in sauce, and roasted root vegetables also make excellent pairings.

Serving and Aging

Vignes du Tremblay 2015 is best enjoyed at a temperature of around 15°C. Decanting one hour before serving is recommended to allow the wine to fully open up. This wine can be enjoyed through around 2035.

An authentic Moulin-à-Vent from century-old vines at Domaine Paul Janin

The Estate

Founded in 1937 by Marcel Janin with the acquisition of the first plots at the lieu-dit Le Tremblay, Domaine Paul Janin & Fils today represents four generations of winegrowers in Romanèche-Thorins, at the heart of the Moulin-à-Vent appellation in Beaujolais. Éric Janin, who joined the estate in 1983 after training in viticulture and oenology, currently runs the property alongside his daughter Perrine since 2023. The estate farms around 8.45 hectares of vines, including some century-old parcels planted before 1914. Committed to an environmental approach since 1995 with the discontinuation of chemical weedkillers, the estate is certified HVE level 3 and is in conversion to organic farming.

The Vineyard

Vignes du Tremblay comes from a blend of several lieux-dits within the Moulin-à-Vent appellation: Les Greneriers, Les Burdelines, Les Pérelles, Champs de Cour, Les Brussellions, and Aux Caves. These parcels benefit from a favorable south–southeast exposure and lie on granitic sandy soils dating from the Primary era, particularly rich in manganese. This unique geological composition, combined with vines aged 25 to 100 years, gives the wine its distinctive minerality and aromatic complexity. The vines are trained in low gobelet in accordance with traditional Beaujolais methods.

The Vintage

The 2015 vintage in Beaujolais is considered a classic vintage of very fine quality. Following a mild winter, the year was marked by climatic contrasts, with an icy spring followed by a prolonged heatwave from mid-May to mid-August, accompanied by exceptional sunshine and periods of drought. Timely rains at the end of August allowed the grapes to ripen optimally, revealing berries of remarkable generosity and balance.

Winemaking and Aging

The grapes for Vignes du Tremblay 2015 were harvested by hand at optimal ripeness in small 35-kilogram crates, then sorted on a sorting table. Winemaking followed the traditional Beaujolais technique of semi-carbonic maceration, with partial destemming depending on stem ripeness. Maceration lasted around 12 to 15 days with daily pump-overs at the start of fermentation, followed by a light punch-down before pressing. The must was inoculated with neutral oenological yeasts to ensure complete fermentation. Aging was carried out parcel by parcel on fine lees in tanks with micro-oxygenation for around 10 months. The different terroirs were blended after tasting each parcel’s must. The wine was lightly filtered before bottling, without fining.

Grape Variety

100% Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc