2017 Chateau Lynch Bages

Along with Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste also from Pauillac, Chateau Lynch Bages continue to rise well above their lowly ranking of Fifth Growth status. While it’s true they haven’t been as consistent as some of the higher classified properties, in the great years they make wines equal to anything else in the region. This is most clearly evident with legendary wines such as the 1961, 1989, 1990, and most recently the 2016.

Plantings on the 100 hectare property are 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. The wine is normally powerful and concentrated, but also has great complexity and is known for ageing extremely well.

Other Reviews....
There’s really good flesh here for the vintage, with cassis, plum and blackberry compote flavors that are a step ahead of the pack in concentration. Light charcoal and iron notes score the finish, which is racy and fresh. Textbook Pauillac.—J.M.
92-95 points
Wine Spectator

This is an excellent Lynch that starts off slowly and then drives at the end with dark fruit and hints of hazelnuts. Strong and focused tannins. A beautiful young wine.
95-96 points
James Suckling

This dense wine is setting out to be fine and rich. It has power and density along with ripe blackberry flavors. Its concentration and dark tannins suggest a long life ahead. Drink from 2024.
94-96 points
Wine Enthusiast

The 2017 Lynch Bages was picked from 18 September with the young Merlot vines and finishing on 30 September. It was cropped at around 50hl/ha. It is aged in 75% new oak for 18 months. It offers good intensity on the nose, not as precise or as mineral-driven as the 2016 last year, with cedar and pencil shaving infusing the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very refined, a touch of white pepper and cedar with impressive depth on the finish. This will be an approachable Lynch Bages, probably pre-destined to be overshadowed by the magnificent (if nascent) 2016 but it will certainly give 20 to 25 years of drinking pleasure. Tasted four times with consistent notes.
91-93 points
Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2017 Lynch-Bages is a wine of impeccable balance and class. Deep, fleshy and inviting, the 2017 should be ready to deliver pleasure with minimal cellaring. All of the Lynch-Bages signatures come through in a very pretty, deceptively medium-bodied wine loaded with personality. Lynch-Bages is never a huge wine, but like most of his colleagues, proprietor Jean-Michel Cazes opted for especially delicate extractions.
92-95 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The 2017 Lynch Bages is beautifully done and has an upfront, charming, yet concentrated style. Crème de cassis, graphite, crushed rocks, and plenty of spice characteristics give way to a medium to full-bodied Pauillac that has beautifully ripe tannin, solid mid-palate depth, and notable purity of fruit. It’s not massive but just sings for its purity, balance, and expansive texture.
92-94 points
Jeb Dunnuck