2023 Chateau Lynch Bages - 5eme Cru Pauillac

Decanter.com – 96 pts – GH: *Weighty and ripe, but high toned and sharp, a real push pull of tannins, concentrated fruit and acidity. Feels very complete, not necessarily all in harmony right now, this is quite intense, but there’s a statuesque element which is impressive. Both rich and cool with liquorice, graphite, plum, cherry and cranberry. Layers of freshness and a real sense of classicism makes you want to go back for more. More lean and streamlined than 2022, this is focussed and there is bite and edge to the tannins that will settle, but this is very good. 65% grand vin, 25% second wine, 10% third wine. 6% press wine. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend.* - 04/2024

Falstaff Magazin – 95 pts - PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Ein Hauch von Minze, dunkle Kirschen, etwas Cassis, einladendes, sehr typisches Bukett. Saftig, komplex, reife dunkle Waldbeeren, präsente, reife Tannine, feine Extraktsüße, etwas Nugat, komplexer Stil, zeigt Länge und Potenzial.* - 05/2024

Vinum Magazin – 95/100 pts: * Diskret, tief, dunkel, steinig, rauchig, kühl, nobel; am Gaumen von dichtem Bau, druckvoll, straff, Massen von Tannin, viel Rasse, beeindruckende Länge, mineralisches Finale. Ein Top-Lynch-Bages, für eine kleine Ewigkeit gebaut.*

JancisRobinson.com – 17,5+/20pts – JL: *71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Restrained nose but depth, energy and power. Layered fruit on the palate. Builds steadily, the tannins powerful but refined. Very long. Definite ageing potential.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (94-97) pts – AG: *The 2023 Lynch-Bages is a dark, brooding wine. In so many vintages, Lynch-Bages is a wine of sensuality, but in 2023, it is quite the powerhouse. Formidable tannins wrap around a core of black fruit, spice, menthol, licorice and gravel. This is a somber, introspective Lynch-Bages with a ton of Cabernet Sauvignon character. I can't wait to taste this from bottle.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (93-95) pts – NM: *The 2023 Lynch-Bages takes some time to really settle, so I gave it 5-10 minutes in the glass. On the nose, glossy black fruit mixes with touches of cassis, graphite, violets and blood orange, perhaps demonstrating more horsepower than I anticipated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, saturated tannins. There is a lovely symmetry to this Pauillac (not unlike Latour), armed with a cashmere texture and plenty of backbone on the finish, even though I would not describe it as a "grippy" Lynch-Bages. There’s plenty of graphite character on the aftertaste. Excellent.* - 04/2024

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (94-96) pts – JL: *Blackberries, black cherries, licorice, mint, flowers, camphor, and cigar wrappers produce an attention-seeking perfume. On the palate, the wine is racy, fruity, intense, long, and deep. There is a strong beginning, middle, and end, with a finish that lasts. This is a true Pauillac. The wine blends 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 13.7% ABV. 3.75 pH. The harvest took place September 13 - October 4. Drink from 2028-2060.* - 05/2024