Château LYNCH-BAGES
5ème grand cru classé
- 2009
- Pauillac
Apart from the first great classified growths, no other Bordeaux wine is as world famous as Lynch-Bages. Its worldwide success comes as much from its opulent, full-bodied and robust style, from its unfailing regularity since 1975, and from its media promotion orchestrated by Jean-Michel Cazes. Lynch-Bages was the first wine sent into space (Discovery shuttle in 1985). It is even said that it is him who gave the taste of Bordeaux to the Americans!
The 2009 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - June 2021): 92/100 “The 2009 Lynch-Bages is very well defined on the nose, yet powerful with ample fruit to spare: blackberry, wild strawberry, cranberry mixed with cedar and a light mint touch. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and lightly spiced with superb focus. It exerts a gentle grip from start to finish, then delivers an engaging, spicy finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent.”
- To keep or to drink :
- Ready to drink
- Apogée :
- 2019-2032
From the same producer
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Apart from the first great classified growths, no other Bordeaux wine is as world famous as Lynch-Bages. Its worldwide success comes as much from its opulent, full-bodied and robust style, from its unfailing regularity since 1975, and from its media promotion orchestrated by Jean-Michel Cazes. Lynch-Bages was the first wine sent into space (Discovery shuttle in 1985). It is even said that it is him who gave the taste of Bordeaux to the Americans!
The 2022 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - January 2025): 96/100 "The 2022 Lynch-Bages has a showstopping bouquet that is well defined, very pure and focused, displaying black fruit laced with cedar and graphite. Hints of pressed violet emerge with aeration. This has actually gained pixelation in barrel. The palate is taut and crisp, with touches of graphite flourishing with aeration so that it could only come from Pauillac. There's plenty of energy coiled up in this Lynch-Bages. The 2022 will give a lot of pleasure over the next 30 years or more. Superb."
J-M Quarin (February 2025): 97/100 "Dark, beautiful colour with black highlights. Intense, subtle, fruity, smooth and deep nose. Delicate and suave on the palate, the wine develops into a juicy, full-bodied, deep wine with a long, complex finish. The structure is very tight, as is often the case, but the powerful flavour dominates the tannin. A welcome decanting. A very distinctive vintage."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
-
Apart from the first great classified growths, no other Bordeaux wine is as world famous as Lynch-Bages. Its worldwide success comes as much from its opulent, full-bodied and robust style, from its unfailing regularity since 1975, and from its media promotion orchestrated by Jean-Michel Cazes. Lynch-Bages was the first wine sent into space (Discovery shuttle in 1985). It is even said that it is him who gave the taste of Bordeaux to the Americans!
The 2022 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - January 2025): 96/100 "The 2022 Lynch-Bages has a showstopping bouquet that is well defined, very pure and focused, displaying black fruit laced with cedar and graphite. Hints of pressed violet emerge with aeration. This has actually gained pixelation in barrel. The palate is taut and crisp, with touches of graphite flourishing with aeration so that it could only come from Pauillac. There's plenty of energy coiled up in this Lynch-Bages. The 2022 will give a lot of pleasure over the next 30 years or more. Superb."
J-M Quarin (February 2025): 97/100 "Dark, beautiful colour with black highlights. Intense, subtle, fruity, smooth and deep nose. Delicate and suave on the palate, the wine develops into a juicy, full-bodied, deep wine with a long, complex finish. The structure is very tight, as is often the case, but the powerful flavour dominates the tannin. A welcome decanting. A very distinctive vintage."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
-
Apart from the first great classified growths, no other Bordeaux wine is as world famous as Lynch-Bages. Its worldwide success comes as much from its opulent, full-bodied and robust style, from its unfailing regularity since 1975, and from its media promotion orchestrated by Jean-Michel Cazes. Lynch-Bages was the first wine sent into space (Discovery shuttle in 1985). It is even said that it is him who gave the taste of Bordeaux to the Americans!
The 2020 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (November 2023): 97/100 “The substance is impressive, dense and fleshy. At this stage, the ageing still stands out a little and coats it. A flamboyant wine, in the style of the cru, with great potential: it will have to wait. It lasts a very long time on creamy tannins”.
Bettane et Desseauve (Guide 2024): 94/100
Vinous (N. Martin - November 2024): 93+/100 “The Lynch-Bages 2020 presents a curiously retro nose, showing earthy black fruits mixed with bay leaves and pencil shavings. The palate is medium-bodied with round, supple tannins. Bold and assertive, it has plenty of concentration, although it doesn't have the same precision on the finish as its peers in this category. This is another great wine that may be entering a difficult adolescence.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
-
Apart from the first great classified growths, no other Bordeaux wine is as world famous as Lynch-Bages. Its worldwide success comes as much from its opulent, full-bodied and robust style, from its unfailing regularity since 1975, and from its media promotion orchestrated by Jean-Michel Cazes. Lynch-Bages was the first wine sent into space (Discovery shuttle in 1985). It is even said that it is him who gave the taste of Bordeaux to the Americans!
The 2018 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (June 2023): 97/100 “Fine aromas of menthol, cocoa, roasted red fruit and cedar. Dense on the palate, generous fullness balanced by tonic freshness. Spicy, mature tannins. Long-lasting complexity.”
Vinous (N. Martin - June 2021): 96/100 “The 2018 Lynch-Bages has a decadent bouquet, sexy almost, with luxurious black and blueberry fruit, a touch of glycerine that develops with aeration. The palate is dense and powerful with lush black cherry, blueberry and plenty of vanillary notes. Silky in texture, there is wonderful weight and poise on the finish, but it clearly needs many years in bottle.”
En Magnum (April 2021): 97/100 “Impressive with its black color and monumental body, which will be the measure of the new winery. Depth, brilliance and obvious Bages typicity with blond tobacco and cedar already. Great future ahead."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 3 to 5 years
- Apogée:
- 2028-2046
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Apart from the first great classified growths, no other Bordeaux wine is as world famous as Lynch-Bages. Its worldwide success comes as much from its opulent, full-bodied and robust style, from its unfailing regularity since 1975, and from its media promotion orchestrated by Jean-Michel Cazes. Lynch-Bages was the first wine sent into space (Discovery shuttle in 1985). It is even said that it is him who gave the taste of Bordeaux to the Americans!
The 2016 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (June 2023): 97/100 “Ripe black fruit, wild mint and cocoa on the nose. Deep mouthfeel, full-bodied, great aromatic expression, lovely fat, ripe tannins. Rich, complex finish. A fine Lynch-Bages in all its DNA.”
Vinous (N. Martin - June 2021): 97/100 “The 2016 Lynch-Bages is primal but concentrated on the nose with blueberry and crushed violet scents. This is powerful, sensual and utterly glorious. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, assertive and structured yet retaining ample freshness. There is a subtle marine note that comes through on the finish. One of the most profound releases from the estate in recent years...maybe ever ?”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 1 to 2 years
- Apogée:
- 2026-2042
- Potential alcohol:
- 13.5%
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Apart from the first great classified growths, no other Bordeaux wine is as world famous as Lynch-Bages. Its worldwide success comes as much from its opulent, full-bodied and robust style, from its unfailing regularity since 1975, and from its media promotion orchestrated by Jean-Michel Cazes. Lynch-Bages was the first wine sent into space (Discovery shuttle in 1985). It is even said that it is him who gave the taste of Bordeaux to the Americans!
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - June 2021): 95/100 “The 2010 Lynch-Bages has a tightly wound nose: introverted black fruit, cedar and mint. Touches of iris flower and pencil box both emerge with aeration. These aromatics say: "Come back later." The palate is medium-bodiedwith sappy black fruit, fine acidity and firm grip. It feels linear towards the finish but is fresh with an attractive underlying marine note that enlivens and lends complexity to the finish. This is outstanding, but it is only for those with patience.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2040
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Apart from the first great classified growths, no other Bordeaux wine is as world famous as Lynch-Bages. Its worldwide success comes as much from its opulent, full-bodied and robust style, from its unfailing regularity since 1975, and from its media promotion orchestrated by Jean-Michel Cazes. Lynch-Bages was the first wine sent into space (Discovery shuttle in 1985). It is even said that it is him who gave the taste of Bordeaux to the Americans!
The 2005 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (June 2023): 98/100 “Spherical and velvety on the palate, unctuous substance and tannins lifted by a minty freshness. Very long finish with a range of elegant scents. Irresistible!"
Vinous (N. Martin - June 2021): 93/100 “The 2005 Lynch-Bages is more opulent on the nose with camphor-tinged black and red fruit, desiccated orange peel and sage. With time, it develops a lovely floral component. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, bold and brassy with plenty of substance. This is no shy retiring wallflower but laced with white pepper on the finish. Maybe it is a bit brash for same? But give this time because it will ultimately mellow.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2017-2030
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On the terroir of Pez, known to be the best in St-Estèphe (excluding classified growths), the Cazes family uses the same recipes here as those that made Lynch-Bages so successful: generous fruit and opulent texture. Ormes de Pez is an'almost' Lynch-Bages but at a quarter of the price!
The 2022 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - January 2025): 93/100 "The 2022 Ormes de Pez, aged in 45% new oak, has a very perfumed and pure bouquet featuring black cherry, raspberry, cedar and iodine scents. Perhaps it needs a little more Saint-Estèphe character to filter through? The palate is medium-bodied and well balanced, with grainy tannins and a core of black fruit mixed with cracked black pepper and a pinch of sea salt. There is pleasing sapidity and a touch of graphite lingering on the Pauillac-styled aftertaste. This is very fine."
J-M Quarin (February 2025): 93/100 "Beautiful dark red. Intense nose with ripe fruit. The palate is fascinating for its juicy character, its full body in the middle and its long, savoury finish with fatty tannins."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 3 to 5 years
- Apogée:
- 2027-2036
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On the terroir of Pez, known to be the best in St-Estèphe (excluding classified growths), the Cazes family uses the same recipes here as those that made Lynch-Bages so successful: generous fruit and opulent texture. Ormes de Pez is an'almost' Lynch-Bages but at a quarter of the price!
The 2021 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (Guide 2025): 92/100 “This is a very greedy, deliciously fruity wine with undeniable charm.”
Vinous (N.Martin - November 2023): 91/100 “The 2021 Ormes de Pez is quite striking on the nose, brinier than i recall from barrel, with lifted blackberry and boysenberry fruit and a touch of balsamic. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, again, very saline in the mouth and slightly granular in texture, with black olive tapenade toward the finish. Quite feisty at the moment, give this three or four years in bottle.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 1 to 2 years
- Apogée:
- 2027-2036
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On the terroir of Pez, known to be the best in St-Estèphe (excluding classified growths), the Cazes family uses the same recipes here as those that made Lynch-Bages so successful: generous fruit and opulent texture. Ormes de Pez is an'almost' Lynch-Bages but at a quarter of the price!
The 2020 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (September 2023): 94/100 “Always admirably crafted, the wine is particularly good in 2020 with truly superb brilliance and admirable definition of fruit. Elegant yet intense, with elegant tannins, it is already irresistible.”
Vinous (N.Martin - November 2024): 92/100 “The 2020 Ormes de Pez has a more open nose than its peers, leaning more toward red fruit as hints of potpourri and rosemary lend complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins. There's quite a lot of finish. It will require cellaring for several years before it entertains drinkability.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 1 to 2 years
-
On the terroir of Pez, known to be the best in St-Estèphe (excluding classified growths), the Cazes family uses the same recipes here as those that made Lynch-Bages so successful: generous fruit and opulent texture. Ormes de Pez is an'almost' Lynch-Bages but at a quarter of the price!
The 2010 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2020): 91/100 "The 2010 Les Ormes de Pez has a ripe and fruit-driven bouquet with tons of wild strawberry and undergrowth notes, well defined if not quite as complex as its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins. Good acidity, nicely proportioned with a touch of spice on the finish, this constitutes one of the more approachable Saint-Estèphe wines."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2024-2036
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On the terroir of Pez, known to be the best in St-Estèphe (excluding classified growths), the Cazes family uses the same recipes here as those that made Lynch-Bages so successful: generous fruit and opulent texture. Ormes de Pez is an'almost' Lynch-Bages but at a quarter of the price!
The 2009 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2019): 91/100 "The 2009 Les Ormes de Pez has a strange nose at first, a little distant and missing the same fruit intensity as its peers. There is a slight dustiness here that translates over the palate. Good fruit concentration and grip, just a touch of greenness around edges with a welcome dash of spice towards the finish. Thoroughly enjoyable if just missing some finesse."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2015-2025
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This old estate (14th century) of Châteauneuf-du-Pape was bought in 2006 by Mr. Cazes (Lynch-Bages, Haut-Batailley, Ormes de Pez...). With 25 hectares (60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre), in two excellent sectors (La Nerthe and Rayas), and by voluntarily limiting the yields to 30hl/ha, Mr. Cazes strives to produce only one vintage in red as well as in white, Châteauneufs that are accessible both on the gustatory and financial levels.
The white is fine, airy, without excess generosity, with a beautiful energy brought by the clairette (30%). The red is a classic Châteauneuf, refined and silky, also focusing more on finesse and aromatic intensity than on power, in the spirit of Rayas.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2025-2033
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This old estate (14th century) of Châteauneuf-du-Pape was bought in 2006 by Mr. Cazes (Lynch-Bages, Haut-Batailley, Ormes de Pez...). With 25 hectares (60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre), in two excellent sectors (La Nerthe and Rayas), and by voluntarily limiting the yields to 30hl/ha, Mr. Cazes strives to produce only one vintage in red as well as in white, Châteauneufs that are accessible both on the gustatory and financial levels.
The white is fine, airy, without excess generosity, with a beautiful energy brought by the clairette (30%). The red is a classic Châteauneuf, refined and silky, also focusing more on finesse and aromatic intensity than on power, in the spirit of Rayas.
The 2020 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Greinacher - April 2023): 93/100 “The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is showing well in this vintage. It is a delicisous blend of 54% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 21% Mourvèdre that aged for one year in a combination of foudre, old oak barriques and concrete vats. It mingles aromas of juicy red fruits, a pinch of mint, dried herbs and iodine. Showing absolutely no hard edges, it seamlessly moves across the palate, concluding with a bright finish.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 1 to 2 years
- Apogée:
- 2025-2033
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This old estate (14th century) of Châteauneuf-du-Pape was bought in 2006 by Mr. Cazes (Lynch-Bages, Haut-Batailley, Ormes de Pez...). With 25 hectares (60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre), in two excellent sectors (La Nerthe and Rayas), and by voluntarily limiting the yields to 30hl/ha, Mr. Cazes strives to produce only one vintage in red as well as in white, Châteauneufs that are accessible both on the gustatory and financial levels.
The white is fine, airy, without excess generosity, with a beautiful energy brought by the clairette (30%). The red is a classic Châteauneuf, refined and silky, also focusing more on finesse and aromatic intensity than on power, in the spirit of Rayas.
The 2017 vintage in the press :
Vinous (J. Raynolds - December 2019): 93-94/100 "Glistening ruby-red. Expansive, oak-spiced black and blue fruit and candied lavender aromas show sharp delineation, and a hint of garrigue builds with air. Stains the palate with sappy cassis, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that smoothly blend richness and energy. Fine-grained tannins sneak in stealthily on an impressively long, penetrating finish that echoes the vanillaand the floral notes."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2025-2033
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Vineyard acquired in 2002 by Mr. Cazes (Lynch-Bages, Haut-Batailley, Ormes de Pez...). After having shown at the beginning a very southern character with exuberant and full-bodied wines, L'Ostal Cazes has since happily moved to a more nuanced style where, without losing anything in density, elegance competes with length.
Grand Vin Blanc sec comes from a parcel (2.5 ha) of south-east-facing marl-clay at the foot of the hillside, 40% marsanne, 40% roussanne for volume on the palate, complemented by viognier and muscat for aromatic intensity, refined and rounded (with a touch of vanilla) by 7 months' ageing in 2-wine barrels. As the name suggests, this is a great white wine, with more Rhône (northern) than southern accents.
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2030
- Organic certification:
- 2024
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Vineyard acquired in 2002 by Mr Cazes (Lynch-Bages, Haut-Batailley, Ormes de Pez...). After starting out with a very southern character with exuberant, full-bodied wines, L'Ostal has since happily moved on to a more nuanced style where, without losing any of its density, elegance competes with length. A Bordeaux vision and assuaged of the generosity even the Mediterranean exuberance, greeted by Mr. Bettane " A very beautiful address, serious and regular, of which one does not tire".
Estibals, 50% Syrah, is a gourmet wine, balanced, long, everything but a "little wine".More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2022-2029
- Organic certification:
- 2024
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Vineyard acquired in 2002 by Mr Cazes (Lynch-Bages, Haut-Batailley, Ormes de Pez...). After starting out with a very southern character with exuberant, full-bodied wines, L'Ostal has since happily moved on to a more nuanced style where, without losing any of its density, elegance competes with length. A Bordeaux vision and assuaged of the generosity even the Mediterranean exuberance, greeted by Mr. Bettane " A very beautiful address, serious and regular, of which one does not tire".
Grand Vin, 70% Syrah, is today simply one of the greatest red wines in Languedoc.More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 1 to 2 years
- Apogée:
- 2022-2030
- Organic certification:
- 2024