Bordeaux 2023: Château Lynch Bages

There is no lack of ambition here. Lynch is rightly considered one of the top estates in Pauillac, producing vin de garde in a contemporary-classical style. As with previous vintages, this barrel sample was a well of introspective, dark, mineral fruit and grand-scale tannins. Recent performances at peer group tastings have demonstrated how Lynch benefits from élevage, emerging as one of the finest wines in the entire region. If you want an imperious, long-term Pauillac, then Lynch Bages is the wine for you!

“As usual one of the chunkier, broader-shouldered wines of the Médoc, the 2023 Lynch-Bages exhibits aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with pencil shavings, licorice and pipe tobacco, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, it's deep, concentrated and generously extracted, with plenty of youthfully chewy tannin to carry it along in the cellar. The 2023 is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. 93-95/100” – William Kelley, The Wine Advocate