| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2012 Lynch-Bages is deep ruby/purple with tell-tale cassis notes. Medium-bodied, but somewhat foursquare and monolithic, it has well above average concentration, impressive purity and nicely integrated tannins and wood. Nevertheless, there is something bland and one-dimensional about Lynch-Bages in 2012, making it somewhat of a disappointment. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. Drink: 2015-2030.
Tasted en primeur at the château. 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.
Aromas of blackcurrants, blueberries and lemons follow through to a full body, firm tannins and a fresh, clean finish. A little tight now but excellent. Precision to this. Back ended. Better in 2018.
Dark ruby, a touch closed but as it opens reveals plenty of bilberry and blackcurrant fruit, grilled cedar and slate. Tannins still firm, you can begin to drink but will benefit from a few more years ageing. In the 2012 horizontal tasting held recently it absolutely stood out, and is one of the best to choose in the vintage - but within the Lynch Bages vertical, it falls behind the 2014. 70% new oak, Eric Boissenot consultant.
Blackish purple. Lots of minerals on the nose. Tight and taut and almost painfully tart but there is energy here certainly!
This wine contains the lowest percentage of Cabernet at Lynch since 1994, reflecting the
tricky growing conditions in the Médoc. This is still a pretty serious wine, mind you. The oak
is a little intrusive, but it's still a classic Pauillac with notes of green pepper, blackcurrant and
graphite and densely packed tannins.
Drink: 2022-35
Some of Lynch Bages's tell-tale cedary, black currant, earth and spice characteristics are present in the 2012's moderately intense bouquet. This wine exhibits good purity, a healthy dark ruby/purple color and medium body. There is a slight deficiency in the mid-palate, but it recovers sufficiently and offers up a decent finish that tails off ever so slightly. This good to excellent wine could use more fat and charm in the mid-section. Cellar it for a couple of years and drink it over the following 12-14 years.
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
Still muscular at 10 years old, this has grip and a sense of tingling minerality, plenty of eucalyptus and fresh mint leaf. This maintains its Pauillac character even in a softer goumet vintage like 2012, and is pleasing for it. Slate and graphite, far more intensity than some, with subtle a sweetness to the blackcurrant puree fruits. 65% new oak.
