2023 Lynch Bages
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Tasting Notes
This is dark and brooding, with a tremendous amount of fruit packed into the glass – black plum preserve and juicy black cherry. The palate is amply supported by muscular tannins. Subtle cocoa, dark chocolate and baking spice add complexity to the lush fruit. This is not a shy wine but rather the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove, with a long lingering finish that evolves to unveil violet and lilac notes. With so much density and structure, this wine will surely age for decades to come. Aged in 75% new oak for 18 months, with 13.7% alcohol and 3.75pH. Blend: 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The flagship 2023 Château Lynch-Bages is based on 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, resting in 75% new French oak. One of the biggest, richest wines in the vintage, it’s deep purple-hued and offers up some classic Lynch richness in its smoky black fruits, smoked earth, graphite, and tobacco-driven aromatics. These carry to a full-bodied Pauillac with ample mid-palate depth, ripe, building tannins, and a great finish. While it's clearly in the lively, fresher style of the vintage, it's a serious, structured, incredibly impressive Pauillac with tons to love. It's not far off the style of the 2019.
Blackberries, black cherries, licorice, mint, flowers, camphor, and cigar wrappers produce an attention-seeking perfume. On the palate, the wine is racy, fruity, intense, long, and deep. There is a strong beginning, middle, and end, with a finish that lasts. This is a true Pauillac. The wine blends 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 13.7% ABV. 3.75 pH. The harvest took place September 13 - October 4.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Lynch-Bages prances out with vibrant notes of crushed blackcurrants and black raspberries plus fragrant hints of violets, iron ore, bay leaves, and fragrant soil with a touch of graphite. The medium-bodied palate delivers impressive tension, with a sturdy backbone of grainy tannins and an earthy finish. The blend is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, with pH 3.75 and TPI 95.
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.