Château Lynch-Bages 2012

The 2012 Lynch-Bages is deep ruby/purple with tell-tale cassis notes. Medium-bodied, but somewhat foursquare and monolithic, it has well above average concentration, impressive purity and nicely integrated tannins and wood. Nevertheless, there is something bland and one-dimensional about Lynch-Bages in 2012, making it somewhat of a disappointment. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.

This has a very solid core of dark plum, crushed black currant and blackberry fruit, with lightly firm flesh and good drive through the finish, where alder and iron notes fill in. Shows excellent energy and depth, while harnessing the austere edge of the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2025.

A solid-structured wine with blackcurrant Cabernet very much in evidence, though the blend contained the wine’s highest ever percentage of Merlot (26%). Proper Pauillac, but a slight trace of bitterness detracts.

Aromas of blackcurrants, blueberries and lemons follow through to a full body, firm tannins and a fresh, clean finish. A little tight now but excellent. Precision to this. Back ended. Better in 2018.

The 2012 Lynch-Bages has a crisp, rather introverted, tertiary nose with touches of autumn leaves coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, a little disjointed and conservative compared to others, but gains more weight towards its austere and grippy finish. Maybe hard-going at the moment, maybe it will loosen up? Tasted at the Lynch-Bages vertical at the château.

Tannic, firm, medium to full-bodied, with fresh, crisp fruits that need time to develop and come together. The wine finishes with a fresh note of blackberry and cassis.

Modern dark fruit, cherry, cassis, some new oak, tobacco; a rigid palate with a young, firm backbone, concentrated dark fruit, some notes of Mediterranean herbs, fresh acidity, and a long, rather tight finish.

71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Deep purple, dense core, garnet glints at the rim. Fresh bouquet, spicy Cabernet, notes of violet, lilac, mulberries, showing a restrained sweetness. On the palate, surprisingly velvety, with good concentration and plenty of breed, subtle firm and peppery notes on the finish, medium drive. After so many rather loud, bombastic Lynch‑Bages, one might at first be a little disappointed by this more feminine version. On the other hand, you may be able to start enjoying it a bit earlier. An almost great Lynch with quite a lot of power.

71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Deep purple, dense at the core, garnet hue at the rim. Fresh bouquet, spicy Cabernet, notes of violet, lilac, mulberries, showing a restrained sweetness. On the palate, surprisingly silky, good concentration and plenty of breed, discreetly firm and peppery notes on the finish, medium drive. After so many rather loud Lynch-Bages bombs, one might initially be a little disappointed by this more feminine variant. On the other hand, you may be able to start enjoying it a bit earlier. An almost great Lynch with quite a lot of power. (18/20). 20: Deep wine-red with a purplish sheen. Intense bouquet, leather notes, herbs, bread crust, currants and smoke. In fact, all these aromas would suit a grand, warm to even very hot vintage. If you know the aromas of a great Lynch Bages by heart, you can guess it blind within seconds. On the palate malty, ripe plums and again dark roasted notes. The tannins still feel a bit sandy, lending this perfectly successful Pauillac character. The drinking maturity is not yet fully there. But based on this impressive encounter, I would already order it anytime in a restaurant today. Before someone else drinks it. (18/20).

Closed, austere, spicy bouquet with cassis, fine woods, tobacco, and mint. Delicate, fresh palate with subtle fruit, fine tannins, sweet aromatics, and a refined finish. 17/20 2019 - 2034

Inky ruby in colour, muscular tannins with tons of dark fruit. The oak integration on the palate is next to perfection: vanilla, cloves, charred wood, toast that becomes even more dominant across the palate. Mint. Acidity is slightly restrained by grippy tannins, but the freshness comes through in a mint-leaf finish, tapering to softer fruit and oak spices. 65% new oak, Jean-Charles Cazes owner, harvest October 12–18.

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Lynch-Bages offers broody notes of fried herbs, tar, and tobacco to begin, leading to a core of cassis and stewed cherries with a hint of cast-iron pan. The medium-bodied palate is firm, grainy, and refreshing with plenty of restrained youthful black fruits, finishing with a lively lift.

Lynch-Bages is, as usual, a beautiful, generous wine with substance and fine, elegant tannins; the whole is concentrated, with lovely notes of leather and spice.

Ruby red. Fruity, complex, mineral nose. The body has muscle and flesh. It’s certainly not a truly great Lynch Bages… perhaps just a great one. Be patient.

Dark, intense, beautiful color. Fruity, ripe, fresh and fairly delicate nose. Dense from the attack, rather broad on the mid-palate and even powerful as it develops; this very tasty wine, very Pauillac in style, unfolds juicy and deep with plenty of flavor, tannins a touch square but always flavorful. A fine success. Blend: 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Alcohol: 13.45%. pH: 3.67. IPT: 84. Yield: 39 hectoliters per hectare. Selection: 35 hectoliters per hectare.

93–95. Barrel sample. The wine is very dry, layered tannins giving a major sense of structure. It will always have this dry, dense character, very firm, solid and powerful.