Extremely well done with a full body and nicely integrated tannins that give this tension and power. The structure is wonderful. Minty. Chocolate-covered coffee beans. Serious but fun.

Inky, powerful colour, edges of heady incense on the nose but this feels more rooted in Paullac for me than many vintages of Lynch Moussas, delivering intense cassis and dark fruit character, edges of crushed rose petals, clove and tar. Plenty of fresh mint leaf coming through as well, with a real sense of poise. It feels like part of the Château Batailley family this year, more than usual, a buy. 57% new oak.

Smoky dark fruits and leafy tobacco are just some of the notes in the 2022 Château Lynch-Moussas, a medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, beautifully layered Pauillac. The tannins here are ripe and polished, and it has plenty of mid-palate depth as well as outstanding length. It's a seriously good wine, if not the finest I've tasted from this château. It's clearly in the same ballpark as the 2018, 2019, and 2020.

The 2022 Lynch-Moussas was picked September 1-27, mostly in the mornings with light pumping over, aged in 57% new oak with 14.2% alcohol. It is quintessentially Pauillac on the nose, with pencil shavings infusing the black fruit. Very composed and linear at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky entry. The acidity is nicely judged here, lending this Pauillac freshness and tension, quite precise with delicacy on the finish that is a welcome surprise after the warmth of the growing season. Excellent.

Exhibiting aromas of rich cassis, berries, licorice and loamy soil, the 2022 Lynch-Moussas is medium to full-bodied, firm and somewhat austere.

Cask sample. Leafy, dark-fruit aroma with a stony, graphite edge. Plentiful but well-honed tannins. Juicy fruit on the palate. Overall, well managed. Good effort from this estate. Could be GV . (JL)

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot. Medium-intensity nose. Good combo of freshness and intensity. Not underpinned by great concentration but serviceable. Slightly drying finish. (JR)