Poujeaux Moulis-en-Médoc 2005

92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): “The 2005 Château Poujeaux was one of the real bright spots at this tasting, and it is unequivocally one of the great sleepers to be found in this vintage. The wine is a blend of fifty percent cabernet sauvignon, forty percent merlot and five percent each cabernet franc and petit verdot. The vinification here is very traditional (which comes across as so exciting after slogging through so many modern, dull wines), with only forty percent new oak used for the wine and malolactic fermentation done in tank. The bouquet is deep, beautiful and classic, as it offers up a classy mélange of blackberries, cassis, tobacco leaf, herb tones, a fine base of Moulis’ deep, black soil tones and a deft framing of cedary wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and beautifully cool and restrained on the attack, with great focus and grip, a classic core of fruit in reserve and excellent length on the ripely tannic and complex finish. No one would ever claim that the terroir to be found in Moulis can ever compete with the most favored sites in the top communes, but when so many of those sites are mucked up by obtrusive and manipulative winemaking styles, it is a great relief to find that one can fall back on a brilliantly made and classic example of Moulis. Such is the 2005 Poujeaux, and until more châteaux wake up and stop marring their wines with sloppy winemaking, Poujeaux should be on the short list of all lovers of classic claret! 2018-2050. (Jan/Feb 2008)”

91 points Wine & Spirits: “A fragrant, sunny, fruit-driven Bordeaux, this feels elegant and clean, stripped of all pretense. Nothing obstructs its pleasing richness and buttoned-down style. Accessible as a young wine, this will brighten a formal business dinner at a steakhouse. (Oct 2008)”