"Adventure guides our steps better than we could wish, for look there, my friend Sancho Panza, 30 or more monstrous giants are waiting, whom I intend to challenge to battle until they have all breathed their last..." Since these lines were written several centuries ago, Don Quixote's fight against windmills has become a proverb. Today, anyone fighting a hopeless battle against invisible opponents or unchangeable conditions tilts at windmills.

In recent years, Richard Rottiers has often looked up from his village of Romaneche-Thorins at the old mill that gives the region its name and cursed. Moulin a Vent is one of the 10 crus of Beaujolais. The area is famous for its longevity and concentration of wines, which began on the slopes below the windmill. In recent years, however, Moulin a Vent has been more in the headlines because it has been hit by frost and hail. Richard lost a large part of his production and was repeatedly on the verge of quitting business.

Nevertheless, he kept getting up and making wine. Wine that has convinced me again and again. The new vintage of Mortperay is also a stunner; a wine that combines elegance and joie de vivre. And at a very fair price.

The wine smells of cherries and raspberries, combined with notes of herbs. On the palate, it is clear and balanced with fine tannins and a long finish.

92/100 points Konstantin Baum

92+/100 points Robert Parker