Château Lynch-Bages Pauillac (Grand Cru Classé) 2010 (750ml)

Stretching over some 100 hectares in the commune of Pauillac, the vineyards of Lynch-Bages sit among favourably designed hillcrests located south and southwest of the city. Located at the 45th parallel, 50 km north of Bordeaux, the terroir of Lynch-Bages enjoys a temperate climate.

Lynch-Bages Estate owes part of its name to the ancient hamlet of Bages, which for centuries was home to generations of winemakers.

The area of “Batges” is mentioned as early back as the sixteenth century in the terriers (estate records) of Lafite. In 1749, The property passed into the Lynch family for seventy-five years.

Lynch-Bages is classified among the Fifth Growths in the prestigious 1855 Classification.

In the 1930s, General Félix de Vial leased the vineyard to Jean-Charles Cazes, who was already in charge of Château Ormes de Pez in Saint-Estèphe. Cazes would go on to purchase both properties on the eve of the Second World War. Lynch-Bages has been run by the Cazes family ever since.

2010 Lynch-Bages has all the hallmarks of a very great vintage. It may appear premature to describe it in detail, but its deep color, complexity, intense fruit, freshness, and tannic density already indicate enormous potential.

A core of beautifully defined, luscious, cassis and blackcurrant fruit provides weight and a light touch of sweetness whilst the long finish has a gentle, stylish and graceful uplift

2010 Lynch-Bages has all the hallmarks of a very great vintage. It may appear premature to describe it in detail, but its deep color, complexity, intense fruit, freshness, and tannic density already indicate enormous potential.

Blend: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Critical Acclaim

JS98
James Suckling
What incredible precision and clarity here. Currants, mineral, mint and lead pencil. Full body, with super refined A wine with great beauty and finesse. Such elegance and ethereal quality for this estate. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a juicy delicious finish. Long and beautiful. This is the best Lynch in a long, long time. I love the precision here.
RP97
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Still a saturated ruby-black in hue, the 2010 Lynch-Bages offers up aromas of rich cassis fruit mingled with hints of pencil shavings, loamy soil and cigar wrapper. Full-bodied, deep and muscular, it's rich and layered, with a concentrated core of fruit that's framed by firm, powdery tannins and lively acids. The most brooding, backward Lynch-Bages of the decade and one of the real successes of the vintage, this is a vibrant, tightly wound wine that is still an infant at age 10. Readers with bottles in their cellars might try one now out of curiosity, but this 2010 won't begin to hit its stride until age 20.

D97
Decanter
Deep inky purple in colour, this is a majestic Pauillac to be savoured by Bordeaux lovers. Again we are far from it being ready to drink and the tannins continue to be dominant, although not hiding the layers of rich earthy loam, slate, pencil lead and concentrated cassis that lie underneath. It's impressive and built, muscular, taut and architectural. An excellent reflection of what 2010 brought to the wines in this corner of the Médoc. It's not the most enticing for drinking today; give it another few years to soften and open further, or really allow it to have a good four to five hours in a carafe. But there is no mistaking the future of this wine.
WE96
Wine Enthusiast
This sumptuous wine is driven by perfectly ripe fruit as well as dense, dusty and dry tannins. Great swathes of blackberry sweep across the palate, followed by juicy acidity. Such a combination will make this impressive wine a delight to drink in 10 years and beyond. Cellar Selection.
WS96
Wine Spectator
Roasted cedar, tobacco and bay leaf notes start off this structured but lively bottling, with intense currant, blackberry and black cherry flavors at the core. The iron-laced grip and pleasantly austere plum pit and licorice snap accents fill in on the tar-tinged finish. Great range, character and typicity. If you ever need to explain Pauillac to someone, give them this. Best from 2018 through 2037.
WW94
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
As classic as can be, the 2010 Chateau Lynch Bages epitomizes Pauillac like few other wines; focused red and black currant aromas, with a shaving of pencil lead; firm on the palate and plenty fine with sweet tannins; beautifully focused flavors of the same in the flavors; long finish. This one will need a few years to settle down and then it is going to pretty fine. (Best Served: 2018-2031)