Chateau Lynch-Bages 2018 Pauillac, Bordeaux

While the wine press is all agog at this wine, Let's remind everyone that Lynch- Bages has been far exceeding its 5th Growth status for over a half-century.  All keen observers of Bordeaux realize that if there were to be a new classification, Lynch-Bages would surely rank as a Second-Growth.  Now about this vintage:  magnificent, full-bodied, and richly textured, but that was just for starters!  The nose offered all kinds of complex aromas and nuances.  How did they do it?  Massive flavors, but none were harsh or out of whack, nor did the tannins feel pushed.  A glorious vintage for Lynch-Bages and a rare treat for me.

"97+ Points. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Lynch Bages comes charging out of the gate with pronounced cassis, chocolate-covered cherries, mulberries and menthol notions, backed up by scents of garrigue, tilled soil and a waft of tapenade. Medium to full-bodied, rich and fantastically concentrated, the generous fruit is superbly framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins with tons of pepper, cinnamon and cloves layers coming through on the finish. Truly, a legendary Lynch Bages!"

--Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com