2020 Lynch Bages
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Tasting Notes
This is an amazingly approachable Lynch Bages – but has everything to go the distance. It’s instantly expressive on the nose, exotic and fulsome. The pure, blackcurrant fruit leaps out the glass, edged with parma violets, liquorice root, pepper, pot-pourri and oriental spice. The palate is pure and lush, with waves of fruit – that offer real crunch, freshness and elegance. The tannins are, however, firm and savoury, yet ripe enough to take a backseat. There’s a lovely saline, mouth-watering freshness, with a finish scented with redcurrants, aniseed twists and a cocoa note. Charming, with stylish texture and balance, this is hard to resist.
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Blackcurrants, orange peel, flowers and tar with hints of graphite. Full-bodied with a creamy texture of exquisitely polished tannins. It goes on and on. Intense flavors at the end, too, with lead pencil and lots of blackberry. Very classic and precise.
The lowest amount of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend on recent record but the signature of Lynch Bages is very much in play here - tons of liquorice, grippy and charismatic cassis and blueberry fruit with a velvety texture layered with blackcurrant pastilles and rich dark chocolate. This is easily one of the best Pauillacs that I have tasted in the vintage, totally gorgeous. The 33hl/ha yield meant I was worried that it would be too concentrated, but it pulls it off, although you've got to assume that they will need to be careful over ageing. Lower alcohol than both 2018 and 2019, a more classical balance in fact. 4% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. 3.73pH, 75% new oak, 18 months in barrel.
The 2020 Lynch-Bages is deep, polished and so sensual. Dark cherry fruit, lavender, spice, leather and pipe tobacco fill out the layers. In 2020, Lynch-Bages is a bit darker and more virile in feel than is typically the case. There is plenty of weight and substance, though. I can't wait to taste it from bottle. My impression is that the 2020 will be a very long-lived wine.
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.