Lynch Bages 2017

This impressively dark-coloured classic Pauillac was made from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot with elevage in 75% new oak. Jean-Charles tells us that he is convinced that this is above the quality level of the 2014 and very close to the 2015. Picked from 18th September to 5th October. Deep ruby in the glass, with a dense and brooding nose of cassis, cedar and lead pencil. The palate is powerful and chalky, with ripe tannins enveloping a dense core of black fruit. Through the mid palate the backbone of tannin builds in tandem with the fruit, with blackcurrant, and blackberry surging through to the finish. Notes of cigar box, star anise and clove offer a savoury foil to the fruit of enduring, impressive length. Another success in 2017.

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. 2022 - 2042

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.

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.

Deepest crimson. Lovely classic aroma of cassis and graphite with an attractive dusty/mineral overlay. Deep and still elegant, with refined dark fruit, super-fine tannins and a long harmonious finish. Shapely and elegant. Drink 2027-2040

Brooding rich black fruit, the nose has depth richness the palate an opulent fleshy sweetness. Black cherry is backed by bilberry sweetness yet freshness the back palate and finish have intensity rich black fruits. 2027-40

A stunning nose which combines density and also exuberance, this is a lovely if full wine with bold richness and also length and complexity. The detail is superb and there is impressive control on the finish, too. Superb.