Chateau Moulin Riche 2018 is a Saint-Julien Bordeaux red blend bottled at 14.1% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Rated 93 points by James Suckling and 92 by both Vinous and Jean-Marc Quarin, the 2018 vintage showcases an unusually high proportion of Petit Verdot — a signature of this estate's vineyard plantings that distinguishes it from most Saint-Julien neighbors.Quick Facts: ABV: 14.1% | Origin: Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France | Vintage: 2018 | Estate: Château Moulin RicheProduction & HeritageLong regarded as the unofficial second wine of Château Léoville Poyferré, one of Saint-Julien's classified growths, Moulin Riche has steadily carved out its own identity. The vineyard is planted to an unusually high 30% Petit Verdot for the appellation, giving the wine a structural backbone and aromatic intensity uncommon at this level. The 2018 blend is composed of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 17% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc — and notably, this is the first vintage in which Moulin Riche introduced its own second wine, M de Moulin Riche, reserving most of the lesser Petit Verdot lots for that cuvée. The result is a more focused, refined grand vin with an 80 IPT tannin reading and a pH of 3.7.Tasting NotesAroma: Dark currant and blackberry lead, layered with sandalwood, new leather, and a streak of menthol. With time in the glass, pretty floral overtones emerge alongside redder fruit tonalities and a subtle smoky tobacco quality.Taste: The entry is medium-bodied and immediately engaging, with sweet red and black fruits meeting touches of toffee and chocolate at mid-palate. Spice and herbal notes build through the middle, while the tannin structure — firm but ripe — keeps the texture elegant rather than heavy. The 2018 warmth lends a forward, charming quality without sacrificing grip.Finish: A lingering close of black cherry, currant, and mint that holds its shape well. The Petit Verdot influence shows in the persistent spice and slightly inky length.How to Drink Moulin Riche 2018This Saint-Julien drinks best at cellar temperature, around 16–18°C, poured into a large Bordeaux glass with 30 to 45 minutes of decanting to let the floral and spice layers fully open. Its medium body and polished tannins make it approachable now, though it has the structure to reward patience through the mid-2030s. As a Bordeaux red with real concentration, Moulin Riche 2018 is best appreciated on its own or alongside food rather than mixed into cocktails.Best For Bordeaux collectors seeking value within Saint-Julien Pairing with a lamb or beef-centered dinner party Gifting to a Left Bank Bordeaux enthusiast Cellaring for mid-term aging over the next 10–15 years Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Moulin Riche 2018 taste like? It delivers dark blackberry and currant fruit with chocolate, leather, spice, and a minty freshness, all carried by ripe, medium-bodied tannins. Floral and smoky tobacco notes add complexity as the wine opens up.How does Moulin Riche 2018 compare to Château Léoville Poyferré? Moulin Riche has long been considered the unofficial second wine of Léoville Poyferré, sharing vineyard proximity and winemaking oversight, but it is bottled as its own estate wine at a significantly lower price point. The 2018 Moulin Riche shows more forward, medium-bodied charm, while Léoville Poyferré typically offers greater depth, concentration, and aging potential as a Second Growth.Is Moulin Riche 2018 good for drinking now? Yes — the 2018 is approachable in its youth thanks to ripe tannins and forward fruit, though decanting for at least 30 minutes is recommended. It also has sufficient structure to develop further complexity with cellaring through the mid-2030s.Where is Moulin Riche made? Château Moulin Riche is located in the Saint-Julien appellation on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, France. The estate's vineyards sit within one of the most celebrated communes of the Haut-Médoc, surrounded by several classified growths.What foods pair well with Moulin Riche 2018? Roast leg of lamb complements the wine's herbal and spice notes. Grilled ribeye steak matches its tannin structure and dark fruit intensity. Duck confit echoes the wine's earthy, savory undertones. Aged Comté or Gruyère provides a rich, nutty counterpoint. A mushroom risotto would highlight the smoky, leathery qualities on the finish.What sizes does Moulin Riche 2018 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; larger formats such as magnums (1.5L) may be available depending on the vintage allocation.Is Moulin Riche 2018 worth the price? Moulin Riche positions as one of the strongest value plays in Saint-Julien, delivering appellation-level typicity and multi-critic scores above 90 points at a fraction of the cost of the commune's classified growths. For drinkers who want genuine Left Bank character without the premium of a cru classé, this is a smart purchase.Why Moulin Riche 2018?The 2018 vintage marks a turning point for this estate. With the introduction of M de Moulin Riche as a declassification wine, the grand vin is now more selective than any prior release, concentrating the best lots from a vineyard planted to 30% Petit Verdot — a proportion almost unheard of in Saint-Julien. That structural grape, combined with the generous ripeness of the 2018 growing season, delivers a wine that punches well above its classification. Scores of 93 from James Suckling and 92 from Vinous confirm what the glass already shows: Moulin Riche 2018 is serious Saint-Julien at an accessible tier.
