France, Bordeaux

Pauillac Cinquième cru 1855 Thomas Lynch emigrated to Bordeaux from Galway in Ireland in 1691. He had two children and it was his son Thomas who associated the family name with Bordeaux by inheriting Lynch-Bages through his wife, and buying Lynch-Moussas and Dauzac in Margaux. Jean Castéja bought Lynch Moussas in 1919, and his family still own the estate. Lynch Moussas has has not really matched its apparent namesake estate of Lynch Bages which exceeds its 5th growth status with ease. Indeed, by the end of the 1960's, Lynch Moussas was run down with the chais in such bad repair that the wine had to be made at neighbouring Batailley. Things have improved considerably since then and, in good years, Lynch Moussas produce some perfectly decent claret. There are 60ha of vines, in various plots around Pauillac, planted with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot.