2012 Lynch Bages
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Tasting notes
71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Quite intense on the nose with rich dark fruit and sweet spice. The palate is concentrated and deep, with dense, tightly packed tannins. Not as exuberant as in previous years but this is nonetheless classic Lynch Bages. FINE+RARE
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
FINE+RARE
More reviews and scores
71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in oak barrels (75% new). Big, deep colour to the rim. Generous and expressive on the nose with more obvious fruit than 2011. Palate full, fresh and gourmand. Appealing now but the firmness of tannin behind suggests a little more ageing potential. (JL)
The 2012 Lynch-Bages has a crisp, rather introverted, tertiary nose with touches of autumn leaves coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, a little disjointed and conservative compared to others, but gains more weight towards its austere and grippy finish. Maybe hard-going at the moment, maybe it will loosen up? Tasted at the Lynch-Bages vertical at the château.
Inky ruby in colour, muscular tannins with tons of dark fruit. The oak integration on the palate is next to perfection: vanilla, cloves, charred wood, toast that becomes even more dominant through the plate. Mint. Acidity is slightly restrained by grippy tannins, but the freshness comes though in a mint leaf finish, tapering to softer fruit and oak spices. 65% new oak, Jean-Charles Cazes owner, Harvest October 12-18.
About the producer
Ch. Lynch-Bages is one of the largest and best properties in Pauillac, in the Médoc. While officially classified as a Fifth Growth estate, it regularly competes with the First and Second Growths when it comes to quality and ageability.