2019 Domaine Anita Reine de Nuit Moulin a Vent 750 ml

The best red Burgundies are packed with aromatic complexity, concentrated yet lithe, velvety smooth, and capable of aging for a decade or more.

Domaine Anita’s stellar Reine de Nuit is a reminder that Beaujolais is very much a part of Burgundy—and that the region’s signature Gamays can be every bit as good as the Pinots from the north.

The Reine de Nuit was grown in one of the most famous Beaujolais crus, Moulin-à-Vent, a village nicknamed  “Le Seigneur des Beaujolais”—the Lord of Beaujolais—for its powerful, ageworthy wines. It comes from a vineyard called Les Caves, where densely planted, 40-year-old vines in volcanic soils create complexity in the bottle. The grapes are harvested in the dark—hence the wine’s name, the “Queen of the Night”— to preserve maximum freshness and the intensity of the aromatics.

We’re looking forward to drinking this with everything from sumac-dusted roast chicken to grilled branzino—after all, Beaujolais is one of the most food-friendly wines out there. But while winemaker Anita Kuhnel’s gem is singing now, the real thrill will come when we pull some from our cellars down the road. This bottle, like most great Beaujolais, will benefit from five years or more in the cellar. As it ages, beautiful notes of forest floor will emerge, reminding you of Burgundy. 

The only thing that doesn’t remind us of Burgundy is the price, so be sure to stock up enough to enjoy this bottle now and in the future.