Château Lynch-Moussas Pauillac 2020 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Philippe Castéja has worked tirelessly to restore a magnificent family estate located in the Pauillac hinterland. The aging of the vines and the development of an efficient production facility have made it possible to produce a supple, full-bodied wine that continues to improve. Its terroir allows it to open up earlier than most wines in its appellation, which should make it more prominent on restaurant wine lists, offering good value for money.

Decanter

About the wine:

Intense and concentrated, the palate is marked by rich notes of licorice and clove, as well as ripe notes of blackcurrant and plum. I love the freshness of this wine, despite the light oak, which it carries well with plenty of minerality and soft, enveloping tannins. This wine is refined; it doesn’t try to do too much. Smooth, with a hint of sweetness on the mid-palate and a long, fresh finish. Finely textured with an appealing Cabernet signature of menthol and eucalyptus. A fine effort, solid yet elegant. 2025–2039

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Owned by Count Lynch since the 18th century, until it was divided into two estates: Lynch Moussas and Lynch-Bages. Émile Castéja, who joined the family in 1919, took over the estate in 1969 and restructured the vineyards and winery. His son Philippe has been at the helm since 2001 of this 35-hectare vineyard, located near Batailley, which is also owned by the Castéja family.

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

About the wine:

This 2020 vintage showcases the wine’s current excellent form, having gained significantly in definition and depth. In fact, it is likely the finest wine we have tasted here. It possesses a lovely texture and balance, with a depth befitting its stature.

About the estate:

For several years now, Philippe Castéja has been breathing new life into this classified growth. Winemaker Denis Dubourdieu has done a thorough job here, starting with a complete overhaul of the vineyard. Over the past few vintages, the wines have improved, and the château now benefits from technical facilities that should allow it to go even further. Lynch-Moussas produces a relatively delicate wine of medium body that can be enjoyed fairly quickly.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Classic aromas of blackcurrant, redcurrant, bark, mushrooms, and black truffles. Full-bodied, with lovely velvety tannins, good fluidity, and vibrancy. A firm, velvety finish. Extremely well-crafted for this estate. 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot. Best enjoyed after 2028.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

The first impression is one of incredible richness, carried by a delicious velvety texture. The subtle nose reveals hints of gentian, leather, prune, and tobacco. On the palate, the well-integrated tannins create a harmonious whole, framed by a rich and lively texture. A successful balance between density and elegance. Very promising.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Frédéric Castéja rightly points out: Lynch-Moussas has reached the level we want it to be at. Our teams have been working on this for the past 10 years, and their efforts are finally beginning to pay off. The bouquet beautifully reflects the character of Pauillac through notes of graphite and cedar. The palate is equally worthy of the terroir, thanks to precise, fine-grained tannins. They provide a solid foundation and create harmony with a structuring acidity. The result is a wine that combines power and freshness and deserves our full attention! 2026–2045

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

Deep purple color with violet highlights and a black core. A refined nose with aromas reminiscent of blackberries and blueberries, complemented by notes of fresh blackcurrant. The roasted notes are refined, with hints of mocha and cocoa in the background. The palate is full-bodied with velvety tannins, juicy fruit, and elegant spices. A Lynch-Moussas with great freshness and excellent length.