2018 Lynch-Bages, Pauillac (OWC)

“One of the finest vintages I've ever tasted from this address, the 2018 Château Lynch-Bages has everything you look for in a great wine: incredible aromatics, richness without weight, perfect balance, and a purity of fruit that's just about off the charts. Dense purple, it reveals a glorious perfume of blackcurrants and blackberry fruits, a deep, unctuous mouthfeel, building tannins, and a complex array of cedar pencil, tobacco, wood smoke, and chocolate. A true blockbuster in every sense, with masses of fruit and tannins as well as moderate acidity, it will probably merit a triple-digit score in a decade and is a 50+-year wine from this team. (JD) 98+” (03/2021)

“Aromas of blackberries, cloves, licorice, dried leaves, graphite and black olives. It’s full-bodied with firm, tight tannins. Structured and tannic with beautiful austerity and a long, mineral and layered finish. The tannins grow on the palate.” (03/2021)

“The 2018 Lynch-Bages is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of swirling before classic notes of cassis, cedar chest, and warm plums emerge, leading to nuances of violets, star anise, unsmoked cigars, cardamom, and wood smoke. Full-bodied, dense, muscular and built like a brick house, it has a rock-solid frame of ripe, grainy tannins and amazing tension, finishing very long with lots of mineral sparks. Needs a good five years, then stand back when you open the bottle and enjoy the fireworks! (LPB)” (02/2023)

“Vibrant, with a violet and cassis lead-in that then expands to include steeped black cherry and plum fruit as well as extra savory, iron and licorice root notes. Nice latent grip too, with a mouthwatering tug of earth at the very end. The fruit is so vibrant, it's a tease now, but there's structure here for the long haul, so be patient. (JM)” (03/2021)

“Gorgeous floral aromatics, violets alongside cherry stones and cinnamon. Grippy tannins set the tone straight away, this is a serious and impressive wine with a powerful texture and concentration of ripe fruits, bitter dark cocoa powder, dried herbs and soft spices that dominate the palate. Grippy tannins have a chalky minerality that coats the entire mouth while acidity keeps things lifted stopping things becoming too heavy or overwhelming. This is muscular - still with some tension - yet retains a sense of direction and precision. A confident bottling with brilliant ageing potential. (GH)” (11/2022)

“Plum, damson, with a touch of gunsmoke reduction on the first nose, rich and nuanced in colour and aromatics. Pure chiselled cassis and blackberry fruits as it opens, with cocia bean, sage, cardarmon, grilled cedar, smoked earth and crayon, widening through the mid palate to reveal a creamy texture. Exuberant in character, plenty of vintage signature. A yield of 38hl/ha, 75% new oak.” (03/2022)

“Composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Lynch-Bages was aged in 75% new barriques. Deep garnet-purple in color, it soars out of the glass with a magnificently expressive nose of blueberry compote, black cherry preserves and blackcurrant pastilles, plus suggestions of dark chocolate, licorice, tar and violets with a waft of hoisin. The medium to full-bodied palate is just as impactful as the nose, coating the mouth with juicy black berry and spicy layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long with a refreshing earthiness coming through at the end. (LPB)” (03/2021)

“An utterly fabulous wine, the 2018 Lynch-Bages captures all of the richness and generosity that make the year so appealing, and yet doesn’t stray too far from its classic feel. Rose petal, lavender, spice, sweet red berry fruit and mint are all beautifully lifted in the glass. Racy and silky to the core, the 2018 is a real head-turner from the very first taste. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. Readers will have a very hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. (AG)” (03/2021)

“The Lynch-Bages style is unmistakeable in this wine's richness and the density of its structure and tannins. In addition it conveys a great sense of style, restrained power and opulence. *Cellar Selection* (RV)” (05/2021)

“72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in oak barrels (75% new). Deep purple-black hue. Big, powerful and brooding. Riper style with an almost raisined edge to the fruit but freshness as well so there’s balance. Substantial weight of fruit on the palate with big, punchy tannins. Muscular and assertive but clear potential. (JL)” (02/2025)