Wine Advocate 91-93 / 100 byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/29/2019 The 2017 Lynch Bages is a barrel sample blended of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Very deep purple-black in color, it leaps from the glass with energetic crushed black cherries, black plums and blackcurrants scents plus underlying notions of baking spices, underbrush, unsmoked cigars and fragrant earth. Medium-bodied, the palate offers a well-sustained mid-palate and firm frame of grainy tannins with loads of freshness and minerality on the long finish.
Le Point 18 / 20 byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018 ruits noirs, nez racé, élégant, profond, de la chair, équilibre, texture dense, charnue, tanins très fins, veloutés, élégant, très persistant, raffiné.
Jeb DUNNUCK 92-94 / 100 byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018 The 2017 Lynch Bages is beautifully done and has an upfront, charming, yet concentrated style. Crème de cassis, graphite, crushed rocks, and plenty of spice characteristics give way to a medium to full-bodied Pauillac that has beautifully ripe tannin, solid mid-palate depth, and notable purity of fruit. It’s not massive but just sings for its purity, balance, and expansive texture.
WeinWisser 18,5 / 20 byRené Gabrielthe5/31/2018 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Tiefes Purpurgra-nat mit schwarzer Mitte und violettem Rand. Ein Konzentrat aus Wildkirsche, schwarzer Olive, reifer Heidelbeere und betbrenden Veilchen. lm zweiten Ansatz Cassis und dunkle EdelhOlzer. Am mus-kulbsen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur und krâftigem, reifem Tannin-Paket ausge-stattet. lm sehr langanhaltenden Finale mit einem Feuerwerk von Schattenmo-rellen und schwarzen Johannisbeerpas-Grandioser Pauillac mit sehr Brosser Fangemeinde, auf dem Weg zuhb-heren Note! 18.5/20 2030 — 2045
Vinifera 94 / 100 byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018 Mûr et confit, avec une vraie profondeur aromatique. Les tanins ont été extraits avec doigté et laissent place à une bouche élégante et fine, qui possède du ressort. On perd en opulence ce que l’on gagne en finesse, souplesse et dynamisme. Très bon.
Vinous 92-95 / 100 byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018 The 2017 Lynch-Bages is a wine of impeccable balance and class. Deep, fleshy and inviting, the 2017 should be ready to deliver pleasure with minimal cellaring. All of the Lynch-Bages signatures come through in a very pretty, deceptively medium-bodied wine loaded with personality. Lynch-Bages is never a huge wine, but like most of his colleagues, proprietor Jean-Michel Cazes opted for especially delicate extractions.
The Wine Cellar Insider 94-96 / 100 byJeff Levethe5/11/2018 Dark in color, the wine jumps with fresh, cassis aromatics tinged by tobacco, earth, smoke and a touch of vanilla. Crunchy, crisp and showing sweetness and peppery tannins, this full bodied, concentrated wine will need at least a decade before it hits it hits its stride. This is a very strong vintage for Lynch Bages and could become much better as it softens and develops. Produced from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, reaching 13.2% alcohol with a pH of 3.72. The Grand Vin was made from 65% of the harvest.
Vinous 91-93 / 100 byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018 The 2017 Lynch Bages was picked from 18 September with the young Merlot vines and finishing on 30 September. It was cropped at around 50hl/ha. It is aged in 75% new oak for 18 months. It offers good intensity on the nose, not as precise or as mineral-driven as the 2016 last year, with cedar and pencil shaving infusing the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very refined, a touch of white pepper and cedar with impressive depth on the finish. This will be an approachable Lynch Bages, probably pre-destined to be overshadowed by the magnificent (if nascent) 2016 but it will certainly give 20 to 25 years of drinking pleasure. Tasted four times with consistent notes.
Decanter.com 95 / 100 byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018 They've had their foot on the extraction pedal here, but the extremely dark fruit has great finesse. It is broad-shouldered and savoury-edged, and each time I tasted this wine it seemed a little richer and more complete, over-delivering for the year. This is going to age extremely well. 2% Petit Verdot makes up the blend. 75% new oak. Drinking Window 2025 - 2038
Wine Enthusiast 94-96 / 100 byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018 This dense wine is setting out to be fine and rich. It has power and density along with ripe blackberry flavors. Its concentration and dark tannins suggest a long life ahead. Drink from 2024.
Jamessuckling.com 95-96 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018 This is an excellent Lynch that starts off slowly and then drives at the end with dark fruit and hints of hazelnuts. Strong and focused tannins. A beautiful young wine.
Wine Spectator 92-95 / 100 byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018 There’s really good flesh here for the vintage, with cassis, plum and blackberry compote flavors that are a step ahead of the pack in concentration. Light charcoal and iron notes score the finish, which is racy and fresh. Textbook Pauillac.—J.M.