Château Lynch-Moussas 2018

Breeding, freshness, tension and depth; long, finishing fruity-spicy; shows class: reliable and recommendable, excellently made.

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Lynch-Moussas offers up delicate scents of ripe red and black currants, black raspberries and tobacco leaf, with emerging hints of cardamom, potpourri and tilled soil. The medium-bodied palate is soft and fruity, delivering a refreshing line and an appealing savory finish.

Juicy and focused, with a cassis, red cherry and plum profile that keeps it leaning to the red side of the fruit ledger, while hints of sweet tobacco and graphite lend a pleasantly dark note through the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2030. 15,000 cases made.

An estate that has been gaining in stature over recent years, and although this is not the most concentrated of the classed Pauillacs, it has appealing blackberry and bilberry fruits along with coffee and cigar smoke, and a sense of lift and energy. Enjoyable fresh acidity and grilled oak. A yield of 50hl/ha.

Ripe blackcurrant, stewed blackberry, clove, chocolate, graphite and hints of lemon verbena. It’s medium- to full-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Focused and polished. Try from 2024.

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot (planted, assemblage in 2018 not confirmed); 60% new oak. Barrel sample. Black core with a narrow purple rim. Lots of spice and blackcurrant, already open on the nose. But you can sense the depth on the palate. Swings from initially juicy to later dry, so the finish is a bit drying. Could do with a little more flesh in the middle. (JH)

The 2018 Lynch-Moussas is definitely one of the best releases in recent years. It has an irresistible bouquet that maintains the opulence I found out of barrel, but welded with a sense of Pauillac classicism. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, well-judged acidity and a sense of energy and focus. There is still a patina of dark chocolate from the oak that will be subsumed with bottle age, but otherwise, this is an excellent Lynch-Moussas.

Herbs, tobacco leaf, currants, cedar and spice aromas are the right place to start. On the palate, the fruit is fresh, lively and vibrant, with a chewy, crisp, tangy, juicy character that holds true to the finish. The wine blends 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot.

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, faint brightening on the rim. Inviting bouquet with delicate noble wood savouriness, fresh cassis, dark forest berries, a hint of nougat and tangerine zest in the background. Juicy, ripe cherry, freshly structured, fine tannins with more cherry on the finish and good length. A multi-faceted food wine. (2020-2040)

A terrific effort from this estate, the 2018 Château Lynch-Moussas just about jumps out of the glass with classic Pauillac smoked black fruits, lead pencil, tobacco, and chocolate-like aromas and flavors. These all carry to a medium- to full-bodied red with a supple, elegant texture, ripe, polished tannins, rock-solid balance, and a great finish. It’s going to round into form with 4–5 years in the cellar (it’s far from unapproachable today) and should have a solid two decades of prime drinking.

Purple with a ruby-red core. Introverted bouquet of red cherries, juniper, and Brazilian tobacco. Mid-palate shows a soft texture, sturdy notes underneath, and a sinewy body. Encapsulated finish with delicate blueberry contours, tobacco leaf, and tarragon, rounded.

Kunz barrel sample 19: (72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot) Spicy, powerful, velvety, and fresh bouquet—plum, tobacco, mint, fine woods, mocha cream. Creamy, full, fruity palate with sweet fruit, fine tannins, powerful sweet aromatics, a plush structure, and a long, refined finish. Has room to improve.

Silky, powerful, finely opulent bouquet: blackberry jelly, black cherries, licorice, fine roasted notes, dark chocolate. Fruity, full palate with powerful, sweet fruit, a creamy, plush structure, sweet aromatics, fine tannins, and a long, robust finish. Still has room to improve. 17/20 2024 - 2045

Lynch-Moussas 2018 is deep garnet-purple in color. It bursts with notes of warm cassis, blueberry compote, and fresh mulberries, plus suggestions of pencil shavings and damp soil. Medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy, the palate has great intensity and a racy line of freshness, finishing long and lifted.

Very pleasant and distinctive with tobacco notes on the nose, smoother than others, clean, elegant, easy-drinking, ideal for the restaurant trade.

It has volume and richness, and you can sense the generous ripeness of the fruit. The ageing has not yet fully integrated. It should evolve well.

On the nose, aromas of ferns and sun-warmed brambles on a summer’s day, suddenly darkened by cooler clouds, heavy with rain and the shiver of the previous night. On the palate, great complexity, layers unfurling in waves, with delicate floral and herbal notes spreading over juicy, ripe fruit, and a finish with terracotta-hued minerality.

Garnet red. Inviting bouquet, pleasantly fruity. Notes of red berries and licorice. Juicy, fresh character on the palate. The lively structure and tannins are in step, giving the wine balance. Beautiful aromatic expression through to the finish. A well‑defined, fruity wine, well supported by its tannins.

This estate has steadily gained in quality and this latest release is one of its best. With good balance between black-currant fruits and a sophisticated structure, the wine has a great future. The dominance of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend will allow it to age. Drink from 2026.