Château Lynch Bages Pauillac 2018

Located in Pauillac, Château Lynch Bages has left its mark on the history of the Médoc. Although the terroir of Bages has been known since the 16th century, it was in the 18th century that the estate gained fame — with the vineyard owned by the son of an Irish citizen named Thomas Lynch. That Irish heritage lives on in the name of one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated and beloved estates, now managed by Jean-Charles Cazes and consistently producing wines that punch well above their 5th Growth classification.

About This Wine

Château Lynch Bages is a 5ème Grand Cru Classé in Pauillac, widely regarded as one of the great over-achievers of the 1855 classification. The 2018 vintage is one of the greatest Bordeaux vintages of the century — a year of extraordinary concentration, power, and balance that produced wines of exceptional depth and longevity. Blended from 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, and aged for 18 months in 75% new oak barrels, this is an imposing, structured wine built for the very long haul.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep, inky ruby with violet hints — the hallmark of a great 2018 Bordeaux.
Nose: A stunning Cabernet nose — exquisite fruit concentration with dark cassis, cedar, and a powerful, brooding intensity that speaks of the vintage’s exceptional ripeness.
Palate: Big and balanced, with rather racy tannins and a lot of oak — this is a bit of a beast. Massive length, exquisite fruit concentration, and the structure to age magnificently over the next two decades.
Finish: Exceptionally long and persistent — a finish worthy of one of the greatest Lynch Bages vintages in a generation.

Food Pairing

A wine of this power and structure demands the finest table — roast lamb, venison, or slow-braised meats. Also exceptional with aged beef, a classic rack of lamb, or a celebratory roast. Decant for at least two to three hours before serving, or cellar for several more years to allow the tannins to fully integrate.

Details

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (19%), Cabernet Franc (6%), Petit Verdot (3%)
Region: Bordeaux, France
Farming: Traditional
Style: Medium Bodied Red
Serving Temperature: 17–18°C
Alcohol: 14%
Bottle: 75cl
Drink: In the next 20 years