Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France, 2012

Overview of the Wine
Overlooking the Gironde estuary at the entrance to Pauillac, the vines of Lynch-Bages are located on the Bages plateau, on one of the finest gravelly rises in the appellation. The estate once belonged to the famous Lynch family, of Irish origin, and was acquired by Jean-Charles Cazes in 1934. His grandson, Jean-Michel Cazes restructured the estate in 1974, adding state-of-the-art winemaking equipment, while keeping the former wooden vats as a reminder of the 19th century.

The grapes are all hand picked and then carefully sorted before crushing. A very strict selection is made prior to blending and the wine is traditionally aged in oak barrels before bottling.

Winemaker
Jean-Michel Cazes

Grape / Blend
71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot

Origin
Paulillac, Bordeaux, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Lynch-Bages 2012 offers an aromatic nose with fresh fruit notes elegantly mingled with
touches of oak. This wine displays satisfying mouthfeel with ripe plum flavours and firm
tannin structure. Good drive through the finish, excellent energy and depth with good acidity indicating fine ageing potential.

94 Points - James Suckling
A fruity wine for the vintage with dense tannins. Full body, with impressive structure. Long finish. Generous and attractive. I like the balance and precision for the vintage.

92 Points - Wine Spectator
This has a very solid core of dark plum, crushed black currant and blackberry fruit, with lightly firm flesh and good drive through the finish, where alder and iron notes fill in. Shows excellent energy and depth, while harnessing the austere edge of the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2025

92 Points - Wine Advocate
Tasted en primeur at the chateau. The Lynch Bages 2012 is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 12th and 18th October and is being raised in 75% new oak just before the rains. It has a very attractive bouquet with crisp blackberry, sous-bois and graphite aromas that are very controlled. No frills here, but it does not need them. The palate is medium-bodied with taut tannins and again, crisp acidity. I like the line here – nicely focused with a grainy finish. Very fine. Tasted April 2013. (Neal Martin's Wine Journal)

Product size: 750ml