Château Lynch Bages, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2009
The Fiche technique from Lynch Bages was titled 'Earth, Wind & Fire' - nothing to do with the 1970s at all as it turns out. In fact, this is a very 21st century wine. The team here has worked meticulously to produce a very smart Lynch Bages. The yields are the smallest seen since 1991 at 31hl/ha. Produced from 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. There is a lovely perfumed bouquet of violets, griotte liqueur and cassis. There is admirable texture and depth, with waves of charming, sweet, glossy black fruit. This is verging on decadent - certainly for the vintage. It is big and velvety with a floral finish; lovely precision and detail. Sexy yet strict and firm. Another really fine effort from this venerable Pauillac estate.
critic reviews
Density, power, concentration, this is a full on Pauillac, with a ton of cassis and blueberry, liquorice, espresso, cocoa bean, with an intense muscular tannic frame. Precise architecture, it delivers on the promise that has been building for several years - muscular, ripped, will power for decades. 70% new oak.
The 2009 Lynch-Bages is very well defined on the nose, yet powerful with ample fruit to spare: blackberry, wild strawberry, cranberry mixed with cedar and a light mint touch. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and lightly spiced with superb focus. It exerts a gentle grip from start to finish, then delivers an engaging, spicy finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent. Tasted at the Lynch Bages vertical at the château.