CHÂTEAU MOULIN RICHE
2017 Saint Julien
The 2017 Moulin Riche, matured in 20% new oak, has a bright, forward bouquet with black cherries, cedar and light liquorice aromas. This I found a little smudged compared directly with the 2017 Le Crock. The palate is a little chewy on the entry. There is certainly good substance here, if not quite the finesse that I have discerned on other vintages. Still, the dash of white pepper on the aftertaste comes as a welcome denouement. Drinking range: 2020 - 2030 Rating: 88-90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)
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53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. IPT 63, pH 3.67. Deep crimson. Darker and more mineral than Le Crock, just tasted, with even a slight floral note. Creamy and supple texture, really appealing and lively, the tannins in support not attack. There's real depth here as well as fruit purity, sweet fruit. 13.2%. Drinking range: 2024 - 2035 Rating: 16.5+ Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2018)
The 2017 Château Moulin Riche is a solid Saint-Julien based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. Classic notes of tobacco leaf, loamy earth, and ripe currants give way to a medium-bodied, ripe, textured 2017 that does well in the vintage. This charmer will hit the ground running and drink nicely for 10-15 years. Rating: 88-90 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Apr 2018)
This is soft and fruity with currant and berry character. Medium-bodied, firm and silky. Fresh finish. Shows pretty depth, too. Rating: 91-92 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2018)
This is a little austere, showing some enjoyable cassis, redcurrant and peony notes, and a richly textured expression with some good tightness that suggests it can age well. An approachable feel at this stage that is perhaps a little deceptive, because the tannins are fairly fierce. The oak, 15% new, is extremely unflashy, but gives a subtle charring. 3.67pH. Drinking range: 2023 - 2034 Rating: 89 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2018)
Fresh, with bright plum and blackberry fruit, picking up graphite and tobacco hints along the way. Not the densest wine, but offers clean lines and focus Rating: 89-92 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2018)
This estate is owned by Didier Cuvelier, proprietor of Château Léoville-Poyferré, and as far as I am aware the picking dates for the two estates were the same. The blend this year is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. The alcohol is 13.2%, the total acidity 3.3 g/l and the IPT was 63. It has a fresh, broad and smoky nose, with scents of dark cherry and toast. The palate is soft and supple, polished and rather plump, with pretty red cherry and dried cranberry fruit, with a charming, approachable composition, and a soft tannic base which rounds off the finish with a slightly chalky substance. Overall this is fresh and undeniably attractive, but it is a wine that will be drinking well quite young I think. Rating: 90-92 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2018)