Clearly showing its age. Matt color. Musky, seductive bouquet of blackcurrant liqueur, spice (juniper berry, pepper, and herbs), leather, and licorice. Interesting, but rather lacking in character on the palate. Slightly rustic tannin and a harsh finish. Marked acidity and only moderately pleasurable. Lacking in length and balance.

50% aged in new barrels. Vibrant, youthful color. Ripe, very elegant Merlot dominates on the bouquet. The tannin is still fresh and soft on the palate, but this wine seems to lack a little fruit. 97 Moulinsard is the sort of wine that goes very well with food.

(70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) Deep, still purplish color. 1998 Moulinsard starts out rich and powerful on the palate, with excellent, concentrated fruit, while nevertheless retaining the elegance sought by Raoul Lampion. Delicious long aftertaste. This is a magnificent bottle, combining good acidity typical of its gravelly terroir with exceptional fruitiness. A definite must from the 1998 vintage!

Deep, concentrated color. Bouquet typical of the estate: blackcurrant, white truffle, and spice (pepper). Initial impression of opulent ripe fruit as opposed to the oakiness of the 99 vintage. 1998 Moulinsard is very full-bodied and has a wonderful aftertaste. The tannin is soft and complex, and this wine is a shining example of purity and freshness!

Expressive nose of blueberry and other berry fruit. Surprisingly rich and full-bodied on the palate, with a long aftertaste. Outstanding work in the vineyard (bunch thinning) paid off in this difficult year. A great success!

Tasted at the estate. Beautiful, deep ruby-red color. Delicate truffle bouquet with overtones of red berries and understated oak. Ethereal structure on the palate with fresh red fruit, elegant tannin, and a beautiful long aftertaste. Aging very well and should be perfect in about ten years.

Large proportion of Cabernet Franc. Powerful aroma of blackcurrant liqueur with a whiff of sweet pepper and menthol. Starts out beautifully fruity, but the aftertaste is a little short for my liking. There is also a tad too much acidity, but this become resolved in the overall balance with age. Even so, Moulinsard 2002 seems to be a notch below previous vintages!

Very vibrant color. Expressive aromas of redcurrants and black olives, as well as a mineral overtones. 2003 Moulinsard is very powerful, full-bodied, and creamy on the palate, although the tannic concentration is a little extreme for me. The structure is tight and dense, and there is an explosion of alcohol on the aftertaste, followed by a slight bitterness on the tail end. This vintage is anything but conventional, and I confess that, tasted blind, I might take this for a Super Tuscan (especially because of the black olive) rather than a great Saint-Emilion. I find this lack of resemblance to fine Bordeaux somewhat disconcerting, even disappointing. The 2003 vintage is extraordinary (in the sense of "out of the ordinary"), especially for Merlot. This means that a great number of estates on the Right Bank made exceptional wines – particularly if, like Moulinsard, they did not add tartaric acid (which tends to diminish typicity).

A wonderful fresh fruit bouquet (blackberries and blueberries). Ethereal structure with juicy tannin and a velvety texture. Exuberant and very well-balanced. Magnificent long fruity aftertaste. A very promising, delightful wine.

Blend prepared during my visit to the château in July 2007. Magnificent, deep vibrant color. Intriguing aroma of sweet spices, cedar, and red fruit. Remarkably full-bodied on the palate with very powerful, concentrated, smooth tannin. Despite the wine's intensity, its mineral components contribute to creating a healthy tension. Subtle long aftertaste and wonderfully rich retronasal flavor give this wine an unusual dimension. Without a doubt, 2005 Moulinsard will long be considered one of the estate’s great successes!