2003 Lynch Moussas

The 2003 Lynch Moussas (an under-the-radar Pauillac) offers up notes of lead pencil shavings, red and black currants, surprisingly good acidity for this vintage, and melted, well-integrated tannins. Fully mature, and unlikely to improve, it can be enjoyed over the next 3-4 years.

Their first attempt at a rather early picking and cool fermentation temperatures. Very deep crimson. Philipe Casteja: 'I was traumatised by Pomerol and Ch de l'Eglise picking in Aug'. Rich and ripe on the nose but not that emphatic. A bit amorphous and pretty chewy. Lots of dry tannin. Very difficult to predict the development of this wine. Fades fast. (JR)

Zesty, lively nose. Round and supple on the front palate – very flattering texture but even this can’t wholly disguise that dried fruit character on the finish. More flattering than most. (JR)