Lynch Bages

Commentaires du Chteau

Un des plus grands oublis du classement de 1855, le chteau Lynch-Bages prend sa revanche chaque anne lorsque les nombreux dgustateurs voient ses cuves bien au-del de son classement de Cinquime Grand Cru Class ! Perches sur les graves du plateau de Bages, dominant le petit village de Pauillac, les vignes de Lynch-Bages produisent des cabernets trs mrs, reconnaissables par leur robe profonde d'encre noire. En bouche, le gras, la richesse et les armes de fruits noirs confiturs ne sont pas sans rappeler les meilleurs vins californiens. Finalement Lynch-Bages reste parmi les vins de Pauillac un gage de puissance, de qualit, mais surtout de plaisir.

Histoire du Chteau

Thomas Lynch, citoyen de Galway en Irlande, acquit la proprit la fin du 18e sicle et la dirigea jusqu'en 1825, date laquelle la famille Cazes arrive la tte du chteau.
Les vins du chteau sont dj largement apprcis par les amateurs, mais la passation de pouvoir entre Lynch et Cazes engendre une baisse momentane de la qualit qui lui vaudra sa note injuste du classement de 1855 o il finira tout de mme cinquime.

La famille Cazes, compose de vinificateurs talentueux, qui d'ailleurs possdent aussi e n Saint Estphe le Chteau les Ormes de Pez, a d relever un dfi difficile au milieu des annes 1970. Les millsimes compliqus, des tentatives de nouvelles techniques de vinification mal maitrises font des annes 1970 une dcennie bien terne pour le chteau. Jean Michel Cazes dirige le domaine partir de 1973, lorsqu'il s'installe Pauillac avec son pouse. En 1988, Jean-Michel acquiert d'autres proprits dont notamment la Villa Bel-Air dans les Graves. Il cre ensuite la socit JM Cazes slection qui a pour mission de promouvoir ses vins. En plus d'tre prsident de l'union des viticulteurs de Pauillac, Jean-Michel est aussi administrateur du Conseil des Vins du Mdoc. Ce grand personnage de la viticulture bordelaise passe dsormais le flambeau ses enfants

Aujourd'hui

Les trois enfants de Jean-Michel Cazes, travaillent dsormais pour la socit Jean-Michel Cazes et poursuivent l'histoire viticole familiale, retrace dans le livre Lynch-Bages & Cie, une famille, un vin et 52 recettes.
Le chteau Lynch-Bages, pour sa part, continue de nous proposer des vins d'une qualit constante. Un cabernet puissant et toff, du chne neuf pour digrer les tanins robustes et peu (ou pas) de filtration constituent la recette gagnante de ce cru dsormais mondialement connu.

Robert ParkerNot 96/100

Wine SpectatorNot 97/100

James SucklingNot 97/100

Jean Marc QuarinNot 97/100

VinousNot 96/100

Jancis RobinsonNot 18/20

Notation RobertParker.com

96 / 100

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.

The early start of the season was nerve-racking because of the mildew pressure, Jean-Charles Cazes said. We had to monitor the vines constantly and react. But we were equally worried about the dry period. We were concerned about getting vine blockage, like in 2003, but it didnt happen. The rains we had in the spring really helped the vines sail through and reach full maturity. Our harvest dates are pretty much on average, a little early for Lynch Bages, but again not like 2003. Sorting wasnt really a problem, everything was sanitary. The vintage reminds me of 2010, but more forward, like 2016. I asked Cazes about their biggest challenge this year. The challenge was not to overdo extraction," he said. "That was the biggest challenge in the cellar. We had smaller berries, so the ratio of skin to juice was high. This is also why there is so much richness.

Notation James Suckling

97 / 100

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. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2040.

Notation Wine Spectator

97 / 100

Aromas of blackberries, cloves, licorice, dried leaves, graphite and black olives. Its 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. Try from 2026.