Château Lynch Bages - Pauillac 2016

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

the5/22/2017

75 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 19 % Merlot, 4 % Cabernet Franc, 2 % Petit Verdot, mit dem höchst erreichtenIPT-Wert (Tanninkonzentration) von 95 gegenüber 76 im Vorjahr. 75% neue Barriques. Tiefes, sattes Purpur mit Granatschimmer am Rand. Konzentrierter, blaubeeriger Duft mit Heidelbeeren und Kokos, dahinter Veilchen, dunkler Tabak sowie Schokonoten. Am kräftigen Körper mit engmaschigem Gerüst, viel Power zeigend, bleibt trotzdem elegant; dank der Frische endet der Bulldozer in einem langen aromatischen Finale, das mit Wildkirschen und dunklem Edelholz lange nachhallt. Im Übri-gen: Die komplette Kellereinrichtung wurde an einer anderen Stelle im Ort aufgebaut, im Juli 2019 soll das komplett neue Château eröffnet werden.

Le Figaro - L'Avis du Vin

19,5 / 20

byClub Vinthe5/15/2017

Nez de fruits noirs, de Zan, de myrtille, pointe vanillée. Bouche ample, élégante, graphite, minérale, tannins amples et enrobés, belle longueur, dense, profond, superbe.

Bettane & Desseauve

96 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Très dense, avec un tannin envahissant qui l’épaissit un peu mais avec des réserves remarquables pour la suite de l’élevage en barrique.

Wine Advocate

97-99 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Lynch Bages is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot with 13.7% alcohol and an IPT of 95, the highest ever for this property and probably one of the highest on the Left Bank this vintage. It was picked between from 27-30 September for the young vines, then the picking team stopped, restarting on 3 October with the Merlot and the Cabernets finished on 12 October. This vintage is matured in 75% new oak. It has a very concentrated, almost opaque bouquet that required some coaxing from the glass, developing floral and crushed limestone scents with time: disarmingly fresh and with stunning vivacity. The palate is concentrated and tannic, although they are not obtrusive and appear neatly embroidered into the multi-layered black fruit. This is a classic Lynch Bages with ambition and recalls vintages like 1990, a Lynch Bages built for long-term ageing. That arching backbone is counterbalanced by the keen line of acidity and a freshness that knows no bounds. There is ethereal delineation and tension on the finish, but I would give this at least ten years in bottle to enjoy this audacious Lynch Bages at its peak. Maybe the biggest surprise of the vintage, this has all the makings of a sensational wine.

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

Powerful, concentrated and long and with depth of flavor, this wine is rich and fat, like someone wearing a gold Rolex and a diamond pinkie ring. There is a refined, stern, masculine quality to the fruit with a finish that lasts and sustains the layers of fresh, sweet black currants. This is probably the best Lynch Bages since 1989/1990. Produced from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 0.4% Cabernet Franc and 0.2% Petit Verdot, this wine is aging in 75% new French oak barrels. Reaching 13.4% alcohol with a pH of 3.69, the picking took place September 28 to October 12 and the Grand Vin represents 65% of the harvest.

Vinous

92-95 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 Lynch-Bages is deep, racy and sensual, with soft contours, silky tannins and striking juiciness in its fruit. All of the elements seem to fall into place effortlessly. Today, Lynch-Bages is unusually well put together for such a young wine. Expressive floral aromatics give the flavors lift, energy and brightness, while beams of present but well-integrated tannins extend the finish.

Decanter.com

95 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2017

As we have increasingly seen in recent years, Lynch-Bages has shifted up a gear to go fuller, bigger and darker. The IPTs are around 95 here, which is unusual even in the northern Médoc, although they are unquestionably yielding, pliable and expertly worked tannins. The result is a hugely impressive wine with a creamy texture through the mid-palate and lashings of dark fruits, graphite and the essential addition of mint leaf freshness on the finish. From a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, with a yield around 42hl/ha, a touch lower than some because the deep gravel produced small berries, all coming in at 3.66pH and accounting for 65% of the overall production. This is a great Lynch without doubt, one for Pauillac purists who are looking for powerful impact. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050

matthewjukes.com

19 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(75 Cabernet Sauvignon, 19 Merlot, 4 Cabernet Franc, 2 Petit Verdot) | 75% new oak | 13.3% alc. | 95 IPT With an unprecedented level of tannin and polyphenols you might expect this to be a shockingly memorable wine. If you then consider the slender alcohol level you might think that there is a typo in these notes, but no. These statistics might seem at odds with each other, but I am delighted to say that the flavour is utterly mesmerising. Dark, looming, with black olive sourness and espresso power this is a heroic Lynch-Bages with gymnastic power to weight ratio. The fruit is thrilling, too. It will live for forty years as if it were a day. This is one of the most arresting wines of the vintage. 19++

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

Very annoyingly, my tasting note on Lynch Bages has evaporated into thin air. I remember the wine as being delightfully plump yet structured and very recognisably Lynch with its trademark spiciness - so there don't seem to be any ill effects to its being made in a completely different place from usual (see pictures above) but more than that I cannot say for the moment. (I am trying to track down another sample.) I think I have remembered the score correctly but am much less certain about the drinking dates I have suggested here. All to be taken with a pinch of salt, I'm afraid.

Wine Enthusiast

96-98 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. This wine is ripe and opulent, while still elegant. The balance is fine, showing plenty of concentration and a light touch of acidity. Black currant fruit matches the tannins and structure, making this one for the long term.

Wine Spectator

96-99 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

This flashes some sporty flavors of ripe cassis, plum and blackberry compote, but quickly pulls everything together with the terrific graphite spine. Alluring tobacco and anise notes line the finish. Delivers fruit, power and cut. A great showing.—J.M.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

19 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/10/2017

Le meilleur jamais fait !Couleur noire et pourpre. Nez intense, fin, fruité, pur et suave. Notes de mûres et d'âtre de cheminée (le marqueur du cabernet sauvignon). Grande entrée en bouche ample et juteuse. Le vin se met à fondre avec beaucoup de goût et très vite une grande énergie. Tannique, mais sans cesse enrobé, il évolue riche, sèveux, avec une âpreté un peu plus marquée cette année que sur d'autres vins. C'est du Lynch Bages plus ! Très grande longueur. Dans l'histoire des vins du Médoc, il se pourrait que ce Lynch Bages 2016 succède au mythique Mouton Rothschild 1945, justement de par cette extraction un peu plus poussée et non volontaire.

Jamessuckling.com

98-99 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

This is really back-ended thanks to a powerful and almost endless finish. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with incredible concentration and length. Round and polished tannins. Layered. This unravels bit by bit. Energetic acidity gives it such superb freshness. This is at the 2010/2009 level.