Anjou Wine

The Anjou Wine is a poisoned consignment that arrives at the camp before La Rochelle under the forged signature of the Musketeers' purveyor, Godeau, and nearly kills d'Artagnan. It is the central weapon in Milady's second attempt on his life, and its failure—at the cost of another man's life—crystallizes the mortal stakes of the conflict between the four friends and their enemy.

Origin and Deception

The wine reaches d'Artagnan in the form of a letter dated from Villeroy and signed by Godeau, the purveyor of the Musketeers. The letter claims that Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, after a disturbance that led to their confinement, have sent a dozen bottles of their favorite Anjou wine as a token of remembrance. D'Artagnan, who has been anxious for news of his friends, accepts the gift without suspicion. He invites two fellow Guardsmen to share the wine, and orders Planchet to prepare the feast. The letter is a forgery: Athos later recognizes that the handwriting is not Godeau's, and none of the three Musketeers had ordered any wine sent. The deception is designed to make the poison appear to come from trusted comrades.

The Poisoning and Its Victim

At the banquet, the wine is poured into decanters by Brisemont, the wounded soldier whom d'Artagnan had spared after the trench ambush and who had since entered his service. The first bottle is slightly thick at the bottom, and Brisemont drinks the lees at d'Artagnan's invitation. Almost immediately, the cannon sounds, calling the men to their posts. They rush out, leaving the wine untouched. When they return, they find Brisemont on the ground in horrible convulsions. He dies accusing d'Artagnan of poisoning him, crying out that the wine was meant to kill him. D'Artagnan swears on the Gospel that he was about to drink it himself, but the dying man does not believe him. The poison is swift and agonizing; no antidote is available.

Revelation and Aftermath

The four friends realize that the wine was intended for d'Artagnan and that Milady is the author of the plot. Athos, Porthos, and Aramis break the remaining bottles. The two Guardsmen, having witnessed the death, are sworn to silence. Planchet confesses that he was about to drink a glass himself but was called away; Fourreau, the other lackey, admits he wanted to send Planchet away so he could drink. The narrow escape underscores the precision of Milady's malice. The incident confirms Athos's earlier warning that Milady will stop at nothing, and it galvanizes the friends to take the offensive. They decide to warn Lord de Winter of Milady's return to England and to seek out Constance Bonacieux, whom they now know is hidden in a convent. The Anjou Wine thus becomes the catalyst for the final phase of their struggle against Milady.

Thematic Significance

The poisoned wine exemplifies the theme of betrayal through trusted channels. Milady exploits the bonds of friendship and the conventions of hospitality to deliver death. The forgery of the letter and the choice of a favorite wine—one that the Musketeers genuinely enjoy—demonstrate her intimate knowledge of d'Artagnan's life and her willingness to use that knowledge as a weapon. The death of Brisemont, a man who had already tried to kill d'Artagnan and been pardoned, adds a layer of tragic irony: the reformed assassin dies for the crime he had abandoned. The episode also reinforces the code of the four friends: they face the danger together, and the failure of the poison only strengthens their unity and their determination to destroy Milady.