| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Lynch Bages is one of the most popular and reliable châteaux of Bordeaux. Release prices of this archetypal and significant Pauillac (100 hectares) are usually modest compared to those that consumers are happy to pay for mature vintages. This much-loved château, owned by the Cazes family for nearly a century, consistently makes one of our most demanded and biggest selling wines. Jean-Michel Cazes' son, Jean-Charles, is now in charge and recent vintages have been amongst the best ever. A new state of the art winery was completed in 2020. The second wine is now labelled "Echo de Lynch", replacing Haut Bages Averous. The Cazes family recently added near neighbour Haut Batailley to their portfolio but this will be kept separate from Lynch Bages.
The 2024 vintage is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Maturation in 75% new oak. 13% alcohol. Yield 29.5 hl/ha. The grand vin will be 62% of the total production with the rest Echo de Lynch Bages or generic Pauillac.
The 2024 Lynch-Bages is packed. Cedar, scorched earth, licorice, incense and pipe tobacco weave through a core of dark, sepia-toned fruit. I especially admire the long, polished finish and overall balance here. The 2024 is a virile Lynch Bages with a bright future. Tasted two times. Drink 2034-2054.
The 2024 Lynch-Bages was cropped at just under 30 hl/ha and aged in 75% new oak for a planned 18 months. It has some initial reduction that is shaken off after several minutes. Very pure blackberry and blueberry fruit emerges with hints of melted tar and graphite, and iodine eventually lends more complexity. The palate is medium-bodied and quite focused with grippy tannins that are impressive for their fineness. The 2024 possesses palpable mineralité and a poised finish. Though this does not touch the skyscraping heights that have been achieved in recent years, it is a "capable" Lynch-Bages that might warrant two or three years in the cellar and drink well for up to 15 years or possibly longer. Drink: 2030-2048
Deep ruby colour. The nose here is ripe and more Lynch Bages than 2024, showing cassis and cedar, with layered, crunchy black fruit. Concentrated for the vintage, this has powerful, chewy tannins and dark fruit, together with seductive wood spice. Meaty, powerful and quite dense. This is vertical and deep, chewy and very Cabernet, with layers of cedar, blackcurrant leaf and tobacco. Chewy and athletic on the finish, with bright acids, firm tannins and pure fruit.
Ruby with violet edging, opens to show chalk and slate tannins, giving a sense of restraint and grip, this is savoury and juicy with plenty of cassis fruits, delivers Pauillac consistency in an inconsistent vintage, and also it is just rather delicious. 75% new oak. 3.67 pH,
Deep garnet-purple colored. Bounds out with exuberant notes of preserved plum and raspberry pie, followed by hints of potpourri, camphor, and damp soil with a touch of pencil shavings. The light to medium-bodied palate is lightly chewy with compelling freshness and spiced red and black berry flavors, finishing with good length.
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. pH 3.67. IPT 76. Aging 18 months in French oak barrels, 75% new.
A brooding nose, showing pulpy blackberries, ripe mulberries, peppercorns and violet extract. The signature Lynch-Bages tannin structure with good concentration of fruit helps deliver an almost full-bodied, structured red and a long, fruity finish. Wait and see. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 24% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot.
