CHÂTEAU LYNCH BAGES

95-97 points

Neal Martin, Vinous

This is not as immediate as the 2016 or 2019 at the same stage. Powerful blackberry & boysenberry fruit, cedar and light tobacco notes, this feels like an edifice of aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, beautifully balanced, very harmonious yet there is an enormous backbone here that (again) is reminiscent of Mouton [Rothschild]. Extremely long on the finish, this will need its barrel maturation to fully knit together and it is going to be a Pauillac for the long haul.

Another Pauillac Super-Second that has demonstrated how hard work, passionate engagement in winemaking and serious investment in micro-managing their soils can elevate what was already a great wine to something quite exceptional. New techniques such as drones, satellites and GPS fine-tune their understanding of the land: all of this allows extraordinarily precise work.

Lynch Bages has a large and loyal following in the UK and it is a wine that is at home in restaurants & members clubs across London as it is nestled in investment portfolios, delivering consistent returns.

Held for the medium to longer term of five years or longer, Lynch Bages delivers, with the nine physical vintages from 2011-2019 appreciating on average by 6.4% per annum.

I thought the 2022 offering from the Cazes family was tremendous, awarding it 97-99 points writing, “A nose of fireside hearth, graphite, hoisin, terracotta, blackcurrant & wild mint: a kaleidoscope of colours. On the palate there is exquisite balance with supremely ripe and well-integrated tannins alongside confident structure and a real mineral backbone. There is spice and acidity abound on the finish. Exceptional”. Those that can grab some Lynch Bages in 2022 should.