CHÂTEAU MOULIN RICHE

The 2016 Moulin Riche is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 11% Petit Verdot and matured in 30% new oak. It had a very opulent, ravishing bouquet with perhaps just a little more volatile acidity than some of its peers, although that will be contained by the time it is in bottle (it is not something that particularly bothers me in a wine's infancy). The palate is very smooth on the entry with succulent black cherries and black plums, a smear of vanilla and a gentle grip on the minerally finish. This will be a seductive Deuxième vin that should give a decade's worth of drinking pleasure. Drinking range: 2021 - 2034 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2017)

A quite distinct property from Léoville Poyferré. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot. Quite rich start and then it's fresh and tight. Just a bit green on the end but winning beforehand with good 'minerality'. Drinking range: 2023 - 2035 Rating: 16.5+ Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2017)

A lovely warm ganache edge guides the core of inviting steeped plum and blackberry fruit along. Reveals a light graphite hint through the fleshy finish. A very tasty wine in the making. Rating: 91-94 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2017)

Linear and racy with a focus and tension to this young wine. Medium body, lovely berry and currant character and a medium finish. Rating: 91-92 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2017)

The 2016 Moulin Riche is plush, rich and unctuously ripe. Plum, lavender, crème de cassis, licorice, spice and menthol infuse this creamy, surprisingly deep Saint-Julien. The tannins are present, but as with so many wines in the vintage, they are nearly buried by the opulence of the fruit. Moulin Riche is a terrific example of the level of richness and depth that some of the lesser-known properties achieved in 2016. Rating: 90-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2017)

Grown on more clay-based soils, away from the Gironde, this often shows well in dryer years. Savoury, tannic and quite firm, with dense, layered fruit flavours, stylish oak and supporting acidity. Usually good value, too. Drinking range: 2024 - 2030 Rating: 92 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2017)

The 2016 Moulin Riche has a very well-defined bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit laced with crushed stone and subtle cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit and a little chewy on the midpalate. The muscular finish suggests that this needs another couple of years in bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting. Drinking range: 2021 - 2032 Rating: 89 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Dec 1899)