Lynch Bages 2015

Tasted blind. Glowing crimson. Seductively ripe on the nose. Sweet start with some green grace notes. Edgy. Chunky. Drink 2026-2043

The inky colored 2015 Château Lynch-Bages is a seriously impressive Pauillac that’s up with the crème de la crème of the appellation in 2015. Notes of ripe blackcurrants, caramelized cherries, tobacco leaf and a kiss of lead pencil all emerge from this textbook Pauillac that has medium to full-bodied richness, notable concentration, and building structure. Made from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that saw 75% new barrels, it needs 5-7 years of cellaring and will be one of the longer-lived wines from the Médoc. 2023 - 2053

Concentrated black fruits the nose has depth the palate a rich mix of cassis and black cherry. There is mid sweetness with dark chocolate and liquorice behind the fruit the tannins are fine giving support. Impact on the back palate depth yet the finish has freshness purity and length.

Year in, year out, the Cazes make one of the most reliable classed growths, a wine that’s generally good value as well as a pleasure to drink. This intense, well structured Pauillac is firm and quite oaky, but with plenty of dark berry fruit and acidity for balance. Drink: 2022-35

The nose on this wine is amazing with dense, sweet oak and impressive Cabernet intensity. The palate is structured, full, dense and very long. This is a serious Lynch-Bages with a singular message of forthright intent and I think it will live for an eternity. Not a massive wine in terms of its frame, this is, however, extremely concentrated and pure and there is the wondrous 2015 spiciness in evidence, too.

The 2015 Lynch-Bages has a very complex bouquet with layers of blackberry and bilberry fruit, crushed stone, cedar and graphite. It becomes earthier with aeration, with a hint of cough candy in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins. This is intense, backward, almost surly, yet the finish has incredible precision and persistence. Not to be underrated. Tasted at the Lynch-Bages vertical at the château. Drink 2026-2060.

The 2015 Lynch-Bages has a fresh, vibrant bouquet of blackberry, graphite, cedarwood and just a touch of spice. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh acidity and well-balanced, but not quite as complex as the aromatics augur. While I like the precision here, it just does not kick in as I expected. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

The 2015 Lynch Bages is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot matured in 75% new oak. It has a really beautiful bouquet that builds on the promise that it showed out of barrel: blackberry, raspberry, graphite and a touch of violet—clean, precise and quite powerful, but it is the purity that really convinces you that this is a serious Lynch Bages. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a gentle grip in the mouth and a keen thread of acidity. I find this to be an elegant Lynch Bages, not as ambitious or as profound as the nascent 2016, yet very feminine and stylish with a silky smooth finish that is irresistible. Excellent. Anticipated maturity: 2022 - 2045.

They 2015 Lynch Bages is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that was picked from 23 September until 2 October, matured in 75% new oak. There is an overwhelming sense of purity on the nose: perfumed, almost floral blackberry, wild strawberry, graphite and cedar scents, unmistakably Pauillac in style. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannin, a keen citrus thread that impart tension and ample freshness. Tasting this as the first wine of the day, it instantly refreshes the mouth and leaves it tingling with energy after it has departed. This is an excellent, top-grade Lynch Bages that deserves 8-10 years in bottle and then will offer three decade of pleasure, maybe more. Drink 2025-2060.

Very classic style Lynch with pretty ripe fruit and tannin balanced. Full body, firm and chewy tannins yet polished and refined. Alcohol and fruit balance are lower than other top years and give this wine freshness and energy.

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Lynch Bages offers up crushed black berries, black cherries and dried herbs with an earthy undercurrent. The medium-bodied palate is firm and taut with lively fruit and a chewy finish. 2019 - 2037

Much deeper crimson. Minerals and spice - a very winning combo - on the nose. But bone dry on the end after some pretty dry tannins. Very solid but needs time. Drier than many vintages. Still pretty tight.Drink 2026-2040