Le Point 16 / 20 byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018 Nez fin, fruits rouges mûrs, mûre, trame serrée, tendue, tanins sérieux mais fins, bien enrobés, texture délicate, soyeuse, juteux, finale sapide.
Jeb DUNNUCK 87-89 / 100 byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018 Loads of toasted spice, graphite, and chocolaty red and black fruits emerge from the 2017 Château Lynch-Moussas, from a solid Pauillac estate. The 2017 is a rich, chunky, textured effort that has some oak to integrate, yet should last for a decade or more.
Vinifera 92 / 100 byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018 Échantillon fragile mais qui possède un certain charme dans sa présence aromatique sombre et sérieuse. Notes de ronce qui précèdent une bouche veloutée, charnue, pleine, très bien construite, avec une expression de fruits noirs et de réglisse.
Vinous 88-91 / 100 byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018 Black cherry, smoke, chocolate, lavender and graphite run through the 2017 Lynch-Moussas. Powerful and a touch rustic (but pleasantly so), the 2017 offers plenty of intensity and persistence. This is an especially dark, potent style of Pauillac, but there is also more than enough to hold the interest of readers for a number of years. Tasted two times.
The Wine Cellar Insider 90-92 / 100 byJeff Levethe5/11/2018 Dark cassis aroma is the first thing you notice. From there, the cedar, tobacco and leafy cigar wrapper notes kick in. The wine is full bodied with soft, ripe tannins and ample crispy freshness. This should be easy to drink within five years of release a
Vinous 89-91 / 100 byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018 The 2017 Lynch-Moussas, cropped at 51hl/ha from 19 to 26 September, has quite a strong sea influence on the nose, touches of oyster shell and mudflats infusing the well defined black fruit. It is not as intense as the 2016 but it is nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity with just a touch of star anise and clove that infuse the red fruit towards the spicy finish. Fine. Tasted twice with consistent notes.
Wine Advocate 89-91 / 100 byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018 The 2017 Lynch Moussas, composed of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot, is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with a very pretty nose of red roses and chocolate box over a core of crushed blackcurrants, blackberries and wild blueberries with touches of garrigue and wood smoke. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm, grainy backbone and oodles of freshness, finishing with great length and a mineral character coming through.
Decanter.com 91 / 100 byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018 Arnaud Durand, technical director since 2003, learnt under Denis Dubourdieu and they now work with Axel Marchal as consultant. This is really a success this year, not quite as concentrated as some but hugely enjoyable and drinkable. It has good Pauillac character and should be relatively good value. It's not the most broad-shouldered or intense, but charming and good quality. A well-handled, impactful and Pauillac signature with tarry, grilled notes that have suggestions of oak, but they have taken it down a peg from the last few years. There's a bit more clay in the soil here that gives a roundness in the mouth compared to Batailley. 60% new oak, A healthy 51hl/ha yield, harvested 19-16 September. A fairly high 30% press wine in the blend. Wait six to eight years before drinking.Drinking Window 2024 - 2036
Wine Enthusiast 91-93 / 100 byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018 This is a bright, fruity wine, with attractive tannins and plenty of black currant and spice flavors. It shows great medium-term aging potential. Drink from 2022.
Jamessuckling.com 92-93 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018 This is precise and linear with a very pretty center palate of tannins and a bright finish. Fresh acidity. Some hazelnuts just at the end, but it’s not from the wood. Elegant and refined.
Wine Spectator 88-91 / 100 byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018 Lively, with an iron note piercing the core of plum and blackberry fruit. A swath of warm tobacco coats the finish. Good energy.—J.M.