2016 Chateau Poujeaux, Moulis en Medoc

Château Poujeaux is the undisputed benchmark of Moulis-en-Médoc. Owned by the Cuvelier family (of Clos Fourtet fame) and consulted by Stéphane Derenoncourt, the estate is defined by its superb terroir: a solid block of deep Günzian gravel. The 2016 vintage is a modern classic for the property. A wet spring gave way to a hot, dry summer, capped by a cool, long harvest that allowed for perfect ripening. The winemaking team utilized whole-berry fermentation and restrained oak aging (30–40% new) to preserve the fruit's purity. The resulting wine offers a polished mid-palate and firm, velvety tannins that speak to the quality of the vintage. With its precise structure and deep mineral undercurrent, this is a Poujeaux built for the long haul, though its balance makes it approachable now.