Chateau Lynch Bages 2018

JEB DUNNUCK: "One of the finest vintages I've ever tasted from this address, the 2018 Château Lynch-Bages has everything you look for in a great wine: incredible aromatics, richness without weight, perfect balance, and a purity of fruit that's just about off the charts. Dense purple, it reveals a glorious perfume of blackcurrants and blackberry fruits, a deep, unctuous mouthfeel, building tannins, and a complex array of cedar pencil, tobacco, wood smoke, and chocolate. A true blockbuster in every sense, with masses of fruit and tannins as well as moderate acidity, it will probably merit a triple-digit score in a decade and is a 50+-year wine from this team."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Aromas of blackberries, cloves, licorice, dried leaves, graphite and black olives. It’s 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."

WEINWISSER: "Purpur mit opaker Mitte. Filigranes Parfüm nach frisch gepflückten schwarzen Johannisbeeren, dominikanischem Tabak und getrocknetem Thymian, dahinter exotische Hölzer, dunkle Schokotrüffel und Holundersaft. Am komplexen Gaumen mit viel Druck, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und reifer (fein körniger) Extraktfülle. Im gebündelten Finale zeigt der Gigant seine ganze Klasse, edle Cassiswürze und exotische Hölzer, endet mit erhabener Adstringenz im Minuten nachklingenden Rückaroma. Bestätigt sein damaliges Top–Resultat als Fassmuster eindrucksvoll!"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Deep and dark in color, the wine exudes crème de cassis, blackberry, black cherry liqueur, BBQ smoke, Cuban cigars and a background note of roses. On the palate, you find richness, round, juicy, multi-layered essences of rocks, stones, earth and lusciously textured, ripe, succulent fruits. The wine liberally coats your palate with layer after layer of sweet berries that hang with you for at least 50 seconds. With a decade of aging this will clearly be one of the top vintages of Lynch Bages ever produced! And considering their crack record, that is really saying something. The wine blends 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, 14.1 ABV."

WINE SPECTATOR: "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."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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."

DECANTER: "Deep, rich black fruits on the nose followed by a powerful punch of spice alongside a ferocious tannic structure that will benefit from the extra polishing of bottle ageing. Combines tannic heft with cassis, bitter chocolate shavings, sage, cardamom and smoke. This is impressive, with a solidly confident, classic Pauillac character and a great example of the confidence of Lynch-Bages right now. A yield of 38hl/ha. Drinking Window 2028 - 2048"

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Attraktive Cassisfrucht, zart nach Minze und Lakritze, angenehme Edelholznuancen, feines Nougat, sehr verführerisches Bukett. Saftig, engmaschig, frische Kirschen, reife, tragende Tannine, gute Frische, Brombeerkonfit im Abgang, braucht noch etwas Entwicklungszeit. (2025–2050)"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The Lynch-Bages style is unmistakeable in this wine's richness and the density of its structure and tannins. In addition it conveys a great sense of style, restrained power and opulence. Drink this wine from 2027. "

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Particularly dark crimson. Discreet, fresh nose. Good, straightforward ripe, minty fruit with about the right amount of tannin underneath. Dry finish. Long. This was extremely popular with the group as well as with me – although I learnt subsequently that it was made in temporary premises while the new winery was being built, ready for the 2020 vintage."