At a glance

Producer

Château Lynch-Moussas

Region

Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Bordeaux Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, minor Bordeaux varietals)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$55-$75 USD (release); $65-$95 USD (secondary, as of 2024)

Tasting profile

Plush blackcurrant and blackberry, graphite, cedar, violet, hints of toast, tobacco, fresh minerality. Tannins are present but integrating.

Evolution: Will evolve to show more earthy, truffle, forest floor, and tertiary cigar box notes as primary fruit subsides.

At peak: At full maturity, expect savory complexity layered with sweet dried fruit, cedar, and silky tannins.

Structure

Acidity

Medium, balancing richness and fruit concentration

Tannins

Medium-high, ripe, starting to polish with bottle age

Alcohol

13.5% ABV (typical for this vintage)

Aging potential

Strong; 10-18 years from vintage, possibly longer in good cellars

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2026 to 2048

Optimal window

2023 to 2051

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Showing youthful fruit, good structure, tannins smoothing but still fresh

2016 is a top Bordeaux vintage, with balanced ripeness, freshness, and structure. Lynch-Moussas expresses Pauillac's classic dark fruit and pencil lead on a moderate frame; it is revealing early approachability yet built for classic left bank aging.

Food pairing

Grilled or roast lamb, duck breast, ribeye steak, confit mushrooms, aged Comté cheese, and dishes featuring rosemary, thyme, or truffle.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — Decanting softens tannins and opens up aromatic complexity, especially in the wine's youth.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 4/10

Conventional viticulture, some movement towards sustainable practices (cover cropping, reduced herbicide use). Some measures such as recycling of winery waste and thoughtful management, but not at the forefront of Bordeaux environmental innovation.

Château Lynch-Moussas, like many traditional classified growth Bordeaux estates, is transitioning slowly towards eco-friendlier practices but is not certified or particularly advanced in environmental stewardship compared to peers in Bordeaux (e.g., some classified growths and neighbors now certified HVE, organic, or even biodynamic). The carbon footprint is typical for a Bordeaux estate: glass bottle, long-distance shipping outside Europe, and energy-intensive cellaring. Overall, sustainability is reasonable but not leading, and ongoing improvements may raise the score in the future.