Chateau Lynch-Bages 5eme Cru Classe 2018
Country: France Region: Pauillac, Bordeaux
Varietal: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot Blend, 6% Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2018 Category: Red Wine Style: Dry
Producer: Chateau Lynch-Bages
Description:
Château Lynch-Bages is situated in the Pauillac commune of the Médoc region in Bordeaux. The grand vin, which is made predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon, is known for its structure and intensity, and can age for 20 years or more. It ranks among the best in the appellation. An emblematic Grand Cru Classé of Pauillac located on the left bank of Bordeaux, Château Lynch Bages has unveiled a splendid vintage 2018.
A year marked by strong climatic contrasts, 2018 was divided into two chapters. The first part of the year saw rainy conditions, with a cold and wet winter and rainy spring. Summer, which began in July, was characterised by high temperatures. The grape harvest began under perfect weather conditions on September 19th and ended on October 9th, yielding perfectly healthy fruit, rich in sugars and beautiful polyphenols.
98+/100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com
"One of the finest vintages I've ever tasted from this address, the 2018 Château Lynch-Bages has everything you look for in a great wine: incredible aromatics, richness without weight, perfect balance, and a purity of fruit that's just about off the charts. Dense purple, it reveals a glorious perfume of blackcurrants and blackberry fruits, a deep, unctuous mouthfeel, building tannins, and a complex array of cedar pencil, tobacco, wood smoke, and chocolate. A true blockbuster in every sense, with masses of fruit and tannins as well as moderate acidity, it will probably merit a triple-digit score in a decade and is a 50+-year wine from this team."
97-98/100 Points - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
"This is incredibly powerful and structured with so much tannin backbone and length, yet it’s cool and fresh with a compact palate and great length. Muscular."
97+/100 Points - Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners
"Saturated purple colour in the glass. Pure blackcurrant fruit is laced with toasted aniseed, nutmeg and layers of savoury, smoky spices. Huge concentration and tannic structure is immediate on the palate. Full of chewy, dense and ripe tannins, this is a powerhouse that will require patience but be one of the longest-lived wines of the vintage. Pure black fruit keeps pace with this structure - though it is ripe it remains juicy and fresh, a real feat. The savoury spices build towards the finish, adding complexity yet remaining harmonious. A truly outstanding wine. Give it as much time as you can before approaching. Top Pauillac outside of Latour in Southwold 2018."
97/100 Points - Jane Anson, Decanter.com
"This is hugely impressive right from the off - strap on your walking boots, get your crampons at the ready, there is a wall to climb - not one that you ever hit by the way, because contrary to expectations this unfurls slowly, keeping the peak just out of sight. It’s great quality and one of my favourites from this property because it’s full of power but with a caress, so much tannic power too and yet so light of foot. It’s filled with absolutely delicious black chocolate, rosemary, cardamom and pepper but also lets the light in thanks for a fresh core running through. Having tasted it a few times it’s clear it’s going to age extremely well."
Tasting Notes:
Blending Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (19%), Cabernet Franc (6%) and Petit Verdot (3%), the Chateau Lynch-Bages 2018 offers a magnificent expression of the terroir of Pauillac. On the nose, the vintage seduces with notes of dark chocolate and spice. The powerful palate coats the mouth with its great breadth and generosity, structured by deliciously silky tannins. A certain freshness also presents itself and continues into a very persistent finish. A great vintage for Chateau Lynch-Bages.
Food Matches: Cheese / Game / Venison / Red Meat
