Château Lynch-Moussas 2021

Discreet, well-judged élevage; sleek structure, tannins with freshness, ideal length, a lovely cushion of oak on the finish; excellently crafted.

A dark, knitted nose. Red and black cherries, smooth and well textured with fine tannins that just give support. I like the blue fruit touch on the palate; this has a cool feel, aided by bitter dark chocolate elements adding nuance, all presented with gusto. This is serious and powerful for sure, with persistence and long length. It’s like a greyhound straight out of the gates, fast and decisive. Good balance and well built with power and concentration. A great effort and a real success in getting the most out of the vintage. Tasted twice. Ageing: 60% new oak.

This is structured for the year, with chocolate, currant, cedar and dried flower aromas. Medium body, solid depth and a chewy finish. 72% cabernet sauvignon and 28% merlot. Give it three or four years to soften. Drink after 2027.

The 2021 Lynch-Moussas has a well-defined bouquet with blackberry, wild mint and cedar—quintessentially Pauillac in style. It’s quite contained at the moment, but it will open with time. The palate is refined in style, lighter than recent vintages from the estate yet fresh and saline. There’s commendable precision on the finish, maybe just missing a little grip, but it has a nonchalance that is appealing.

Blackberries, smoke, tobacco, herbs and crème de cassis already show on the nose. Medium-bodied, fresh, soft and polished, with a sweet edge to the juicy currants at mid-palate and a spicy, espresso- and cocoa-tinged red-berry finish. This is showing better from bottle than it did from barrel. The wine blends 72% Cabernet Sauvignon with 28% Merlot. Drink from 2026–2045.

Dark ruby-garnet colour, good depth, purple reflections, delicate brightening on the rim. Delicate notes of leather and Black Forest berries, dark cherries, subtle wood savouriness in the background. Juicy, elegant, with notes of red berries, integrated, ripe tannins, mineral and persistent, shows good freshness, a salty touch on the finish, medium length, good ageing potential. (01/08/2024, Drink + 20 years).

Filigreed bouquet, red currant drops, delicate hint of lilac, refined cassis spice and lingonberry juice. On the juicy palate with a soft texture, finely sandy extract, a tightly knit tannic framework and a compact body. In the focused finish, the Pauillac streamlines: red berries, juniper and a gently crumbly astringency, rounded off.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot) Velvety, fruity, sweet, powerful bouquet, cassis, plums, slate, smoke, licorice. Balanced, medium-bodied palate with fine, creamy fruit, powerful, sweet aromatics, good tannin, finely bourgeois structure, long, aromatic finish.

(72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot) Velvety, fruity, sweet, powerful bouquet: blackcurrant, plum, slate, smoke, liquorice. Balanced, medium-bodied palate with fine, creamy fruit, powerful, sweet aromatics, good tannins, a finely bourgeois structure, and a long, aromatic finish. 17/20 2028 - 2045

Black cherry, raspberry, enjoyable, not quite the same ripeness that I have found in Lynch Moussas over the past few years, but this is enjoyable. As it opens, tar and campfire smoke curl out of the glass. Late harvest helped the fruit get to a good level of ripeness, but this is soft on the finish.

The estate has made good progress in recent years. The 2021 is a Pauillac with beautiful expression, featuring a precise palate, good depth, and tannins that are still a bit tight on the finish. It will come together and gain suppleness. Best left for a few more years.

The bouquet of Lynch-Moussas unfolds with subtlety and complexity. The well-integrated élevage provides solid support to the bouquet and allows many fruity and spicy nuances to emerge. On the palate, the wine is a touch more slender than usual, yet it remains harmonious and even velvety. It can certainly already be enjoyed in its youth.

Beautiful deep red colour, lively. Bouquet of moderate intensity, yet subtle. Fruity and vanilla nuances, refined. Delicate on the attack and delicate throughout the palate, the wine melts into a fragrant, very harmonious expression. Normal length.

If you’re looking to taste a signature of the appellation, you can stop at this vintage from Lynch-Moussas. From the very first nose, you sense a delicate expression of maturity and finesse: aromas of plum jam and a waft of eucalyptus. The finesse is confirmed on the palate, with a delicate attack and texture. Nothing astringent and nothing heavy—perfect balance and a flawless white-pepper finish.