Lynch-Moussas, Chateau
Summary
Château Lynch-Moussas is a Fifth Growth Pauillac estate spanning 62 hectares (55 under vine) owned by the Borie family since 1969, producing approximately 20,000 cases annually of Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines from gravelly soils over limestone that provide excellent drainage and heat retention. The estate combines traditional Bordeaux methods with modern precision, employing hand harvesting, double sorting, temperature-controlled fermentation, and 18-month aging in French oak barrels while maintaining plot-specific farming and sustainable viticulture practices.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Lynch-Moussas stands as a Fifth Growth (Grand Cru Classé) estate according to the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Located in the Pauillac appellation on Bordeaux's Left Bank, the property shares historical roots with neighboring Château Lynch-Bages, as both were once part of a single estate owned by the Lynch family in the 18th century. The Lynch name derives from John Lynch, a merchant of Irish descent who acquired the property in 1749.
After changing hands several times throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Château Lynch-Moussas was purchased by the Borie family in 1969, specifically by Jean-Eugène Borie. Today, the estate operates under the leadership of the Borie family through their company Borie-Manoux, with Emeline Borie directing operations. This places Lynch-Moussas within the same family ownership as Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste and Château Haut-Batailley, though each property maintains distinct management and winemaking approaches.
The château underwent significant renovation in the 1970s, including a complete rebuilding of the winemaking facilities and extensive replanting of the vineyards, marking a pivotal point in the estate's quality trajectory.
Vineyards & Wines
Château Lynch-Moussas encompasses 62 hectares (153 acres) of vineyards in the Pauillac appellation, though not all are planted with vines. The vineyard area under cultivation spans approximately 55 hectares, planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon (75%) and Merlot (25%), reflecting the classic Left Bank preference for Cabernet Sauvignon.
The vineyards occupy gravelly rises typical of Pauillac, with soil composition featuring deep gravel beds over limestone subsoil. This terroir provides excellent drainage and heat retention, creating ideal conditions for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon. The average vine age at Lynch-Moussas is 30 years, with some parcels containing older vines.
The estate produces approximately 20,000 cases annually of its grand vin, Château Lynch-Moussas, along with a second wine called Les Hauts de Lynch-Moussas. The grand vin typically displays the structured character and graphite-tinged black fruit profile characteristic of Pauillac wines, with aging potential of 15-20 years in quality vintages.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at Château Lynch-Moussas balances traditional Bordeaux methods with modern precision. Harvest is conducted by hand, with grapes sorted both in the vineyard and at the winery. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, allowing for precise management of extraction and fermentation kinetics.
The grand vin ages for approximately 18 months in French oak barrels, with 60% new oak used in a typical vintage. This oak regimen provides structure and complexity without overwhelming the wine's fruit character. Racking occurs quarterly during the aging process, with minimal fining and filtration before bottling.
In the vineyard, the team employs traditional management techniques with increasing attention to plot-by-plot farming. The estate practices sustainable viticulture, though without formal organic or biodynamic certification. Canopy management focuses on achieving optimal sun exposure and air circulation, with green harvesting employed when necessary to control yields and enhance concentration.
Under the Borie family's direction, Lynch-Moussas maintains a philosophy centered on expressing the distinctive gravelly terroir of its Pauillac vineyards while producing wines that balance power with elegance and aging potential.