Lynch Moussas

History of Château Lynch-Moussas

The history of Château Lynch-Moussas begins in the 17th century with the Domaine de Moussas-Bages, owned by the de Jehan family, influential wine merchants. It was not until 1748 that the estate truly entered the winemaking history of Bordeaux. Thomas Lynch, a descendant of the Irish Lynch family, inherited the estate through his marriage to Elisabeth Drouillard. He renamed the estate Château Lynch and his son, Jean-Baptiste Lynch, became a prominent figure in Bordeaux, notably as mayor of the city and count of the Empire. In 1835, after Jean-Baptiste's death, the estate was divided into two: Château Lynch-Bages and Château Lynch-Moussas.

During the 19th century, Château Lynch-Moussas came under the administration of the Vasquez family, of Spanish origin, and obtained the prestigious classification of 5th Classified Growth at the 1855 Universal Exhibition. However, the estate went through periods of difficulties, affected by economic crises and vine diseases.

It was in 1919 that Jean Castéja, owner of several renowned wine estates, acquired Château Lynch-Moussas. But it was not until 1969, under the management of his son, Émile Castéja, that the estate experienced a true renaissance. Émile replanted the vines and modernised the infrastructure, thus restoring Château Lynch-Moussas to its rightful place among the great growths of Pauillac.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Lynch-Moussas

Located on the left bank of the Gironde estuary, in the Pauillac appellation, the Château Lynch-Moussas vineyard spans approximately 62 hectares of the left bank, benefiting from an exceptional terroir composed of Garonne gravel. This soil, formed of gravel and pebbles, is recognised for its ability to drain water and store heat, thus promoting optimal grape ripening. This unique terroir is the cradle of classified growths, sharing the same soil quality as prestigious estates such as Château Latour and Château Pichon-Longueville Baron.

The vineyard is predominantly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (75%) and Merlot (25%) grape varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon, king of the Médoc, brings structure, power and great ageing potential to the wines, while Merlot confers roundness and suppleness. The estate's vines have an average age of 30 years, guaranteeing regular production of high-quality grapes.

Besides Pauillac, the estate also owns a plot in the Haut-Médoc appellation. This plot, planted mainly with Cabernet Sauvignon, is cultivated with the same care as those in Pauillac and is intended for the production of the Château's second wine, Les Hauts de Lynch-Moussas.

Vinification at Château Lynch-Moussas

At Château Lynch-Moussas, vinification follows rigorous and modern methods, while respecting Bordeaux traditions. The harvest is manual, allowing for meticulous selection of the best grapes. Each plot is vinified separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, ensuring precise temperature control and optimal extraction of aromas and tannins.

Malolactic fermentation, which softens the wine's acidity, also takes place in vats. Subsequently, the wines are transferred to French oak barrels, 60% of which are new, for an ageing period ranging from 16 to 18 months. These barrels, made by several coopers, allow for bringing complex nuances to the wine, while respecting its fruity character. After this first ageing phase, the wines are blended, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot being harmonised to create a perfect balance. Finally, the wines are returned to barrels to complete their ageing before bottling.

The Cuvées of Château Lynch-Moussas

Château Lynch-Moussas - Grand Vin

The Grand Vin of Château Lynch-Moussas, classified as a 5th Growth in 1855, is a Pauillac wine that is both powerful and elegant. It is distinguished by a deep ruby colour and a complex nose blending aromas of red and black fruits, notably blackberry and blackcurrant, with slightly spicy notes. On the palate, this wine reveals itself as rich, structured, with silky tannins and great persistence. Its ageing potential is exceptional, capable of evolving over several decades, revealing fascinating secondary and tertiary aromas over time.

Les Hauts de Lynch-Moussas - Second Wine

Les Hauts de Lynch-Moussas, launched in 2001, is the estate's second wine. Produced from young vine plots, mainly located in the Haut-Médoc appellation, this wine is an ideal introduction to the world of Château Lynch-Moussas. With an intense ruby colour, it unveils a fruity and slightly roasted nose, with notes of raspberries, cherries and coffee. On the palate, it is fresh, structured, with fine and elegant tannins. This second wine is more accessible than the Grand Vin, both in terms of price and consumption, as it can be enjoyed from its youth, while offering a good ageing capacity.

Pauillac, one of the most prestigious appellations in the Médoc, ranks among the great Bordeaux wines, with remarkable vintages that have made history. Among the finest vintages are those from 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990, renowned for their complexity and longevity. The years 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2005 also stand out for their richness and power. More recently, the vintages 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 have confirmed Pauillac's exceptional potential, offering wines that are both elegant and powerful, perfect for long-term cellaring.

The Fifth Classified Growths offer a beautiful diversity of properties in the Médoc, testifying to Bordeaux's winemaking expertise. In Pauillac, one finds renowned estates such as Château d'Armailhac, Château Batailley, Château Clerc Milon, Château Croizet-Bages, Château Grand-Puy Ducasse, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Château Haut-Bages Libéral, Château Haut-Batailley, Château Lynch-Bages, Château Lynch-Moussas, Château Pedesclaux, and Château Pontet-Canet. In the Haut-Médoc, Château Camensac and Château Cantemerle stand out with their own characteristics. In Margaux, Château Dauzac and Château du Tertre bring a touch of elegance, while Château Cos Labory from Saint-Estèphe completes this prestigious selection. Each of these estates reflects a unique facet of the Bordeaux terroir.

Château Lynch-Moussas, with its rich history and exceptional terroir, stands as one of the great growths of Pauillac. Thanks to the efforts of the Castéja family and continuous modernisation of its facilities, the estate has managed to perpetuate the tradition of producing high-quality wines. The Grand Vin, powerful and refined, as well as Les Hauts de Lynch-Moussas, fresh and elegant, reflect the unique know-how of this historic estate.