Château Poujeaux - Moulis-en-Médoc 2018

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Owned by the Cuvelier family since 2008 (who also own Clos Fourtet in Saint-Émilion), this vineyard with deep gravel soils on the Grand Poujeaux plateau benefits from exceptional terroirs as well as state-of-the-art facilities. Under the guidance of Stéphane Derenoncourt, it produces one of the finest Moulis wines available—both rich and exceptionally smooth.

Decanter

About the wine:

The austere tannins are pronounced at this stage of aging, but they are supported by rich layers of blackcurrant and a bright hint of Médoc eucalyptus. It will remain powerful throughout the next decade. This is a wine to watch. 2024–2038

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

This vintage offers a superb 2018, which stands out for its balance and fullness. Although it remains somewhat reserved, the bouquet reveals, upon aeration, a harmonious blend of ripe black fruits and well-integrated oak. Firmly built on silky tannins, the palate is as broad as it is long—rich, generous, and very elegant all at once.  2025–2032

About the estate:

Although omitted from the 1855 classification—since Moulis had long been a grain-growing region—this cru is nonetheless among the most renowned in the Médoc. Formerly a seigneury under the jurisdiction of Latour Saint-Maubert—later to become Château Latour—it experienced a resurgence in the 1920s under the Theil family, who consolidated the vineyard into a single 68-hectare block on the fine gravel terroir of Grand-Poujeaux and elevated the estate to the pinnacle of the appellation. Since 2008, it has been owned by Philippe Cuvelier, owner of Clos Fourtet (a First Growth of Saint-Émilion), who maintains the estate’s high standards of quality.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

2018 is a truly outstanding vintage, displaying beautiful body and a velvety texture. A Poujeaux that is both full-bodied and refined.

About the estate:

An iconic estate in the appellation, Poujeaux has been owned by the Cuvelier family (Clos Fourtet) since 2008. Under the leadership of its director, Christophe Labenne, and with advice from Stéphane Derenoncourt, the wines have steadily improved, reaching a solid level of quality, so much so that the estate remains a benchmark in the appellation. The style leans toward finesse and elegance, which suits the wine perfectly—and it ages very well nonetheless. The most recent vintages are particularly impressive.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

This full-bodied wine offers a beautiful structure, with rich aromas of black plum and supple tannins. Its structure is already well-defined, but the density of the fruit will allow it to reach its full potential and be ready for drinking starting in 2026.

Jancis Robinson

James Suckling

About the wine:

Lovely aromas of wild blackberry, violet, milk chocolate, and licorice. It is medium-bodied to full-bodied with firm, creamy tannins. Polished and concentrated. Best enjoyed starting in 2024.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

This bouquet boasts beautiful fruity intensity, making it very inviting! It also clearly reveals its aging, though this is fully integrated. Compact character, with good flavor expression right from the first sip. Pleasant sweetness. The tannins, while well-integrated and displaying fine-grained texture, are firm. The acidity works behind the scenes, lending a refreshing tension. A lingering, fruity finish. The 2018 Poujeaux has more than one string to its bow; it needs time to reveal itself fully. 2024–2043

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is aromatic and refined, offering a delicate texture along with a certain power and intensity. It features notes of juicy, pulpy wild blackberry, vibrant blackcurrant, and a hint of strawberry, combined with hints of violet, a touch of lily and iris, refined minerality, subtle hints of tonka bean and hazelnut, and a hint of Madagascar pepper. On the palate, it is fresh, mineral, juicy, elegant, and refined, offering lovely definition, precise fruit expression, depth, as well as a vibrant quality and energy. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of vibrant raspberry, juicy and pulpy red berries, and, more subtly, violet, combined with hints of blackberry and iris, as well as hints of refined minerality, a subtle note of vibrant and fresh plum, tonka bean, caramelized hazelnut, and a discreet hint of cinnamon (in the background). The tannins are elegant and offer a very refined smoothness. A lovely persistence and smoothness on the finish. An elegant and complex wine.