The history of Chateau Moulin Riche in the modern era has its beginnings in 1920 when the estate was purchased by the Cuvelier family. By 1920, the Cuvelier family were already well-established in Bordeaux as chateau owners and negociants.
In fact, the Cuvelier family had over 100 years of history in the region by that time, as they got their start in Bordeaux the same way numerous other future chateau owners did, as negociants, or wine merchants. They date back all the way to 1804.
By the time they purchased Chateau Moulin Riche in the Saint Julien appellation, they already owned vineyards in the Medoc including, Chateau Le Crock in St. Estephe, which they purchased in 1903. They were also the owners of Chateau Camensac in the Haut Medoc appellation and Chateau Leoville Poyferre.
While Chateau Moulin Riche is bottled and sold as its own, unique brand until quite recently, that was not the case. The wine was really thought of as the unofficial second wine of Chateau Leoville Poyferre. That changed with the already, legendary 2009 vintage.
In that year, it was decided that Moulin Riche would be produced from its own specific vineyard parcels. Today, the second wine of Chateau Leoville Poyferre is Pavillon de Leoville Poyferre.
The Moulin Riche logo continues to look quite similar to Leoville Poyferre. This is by design. The similarity to their other wines helps customers identify with the Cuvelier family wines. Since the sublime 2009 vintage, Chateau Moulin Riche has continued to gain popularity as its own brand and distinctive wine.
Starting with the 2018 vintage, Moulin Riche introduced a second wine, M de Moulin Riche, which is where they place most of their Petit Verdot. In fact, the debut vintage is almost 70% Petit Verdot!
