2020 Chateau Lynch Bages - 5eme Cru Pauillac 1,5 l - Magnum

Decanter.com -96pts - JA: *The lowest amount of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend on recent record but the signature of Lynch Bages is very much in play here - tons of liquorice, grippy and charismatic cassis and blueberry fruit with a velvety texture layered with blackcurrant pastilles and rich dark chocolate. This is easily one of the best Pauillacs that I have tasted in the vintage, totally gorgeous. The 33hl/ha yield meant I was worried that it would be too concentrated, but it pulls it off, although you´ve got to assume that they will need to be careful over ageing. Lower alcohol than both 2018 and 2019, a more classical balance in fact. 4% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. 3.73pH, 75% new oak, 18 months in barrel. Drinking Window 2030 - 2048* - 05/21

Falstaff Magazin - (95-97) pts - PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Nuancen nach Cassis und Lakritze, schwarze Waldbeeren, ein Hauch von Zedern, Noten von Minze sind unterlegt. Saftig, elegant, feine Kirschfrucht, reife, tragende Tannine, zarter Nougat im Abgang, mineralisch und mit Länge versehen, sicheres Reifepotenzial.* - 05/2021

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - (94-96) pts: *The 2020 Lynch-Bages is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, aging for around 18 months in French oak barriques, 75% new. It has an alcohol of 13.41%, a pH of 3.73 and an IPT (tannin index) of 93. Opaque purple-black in color, it leaps from the glass with notes of crushed blackberries, cassis and boysenberries, plus touches of garrigue, red roses and cedar chest with hints of graphite and black olives. The medium-bodied palate has a rock-solid frame of ripe, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness supporting the tight-knit black fruit and earthy flavors, finishing long and mineral laced.* - 05/21

Weinwisser - 19,5/20pts - WL: *60 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 31 % Merlot, 4 % Cabernet Franc, 5 % Petit Verdot, Alkohol 13.41 vol%, pH 3.73, IPT 93. Tiefes Purpur mit opaker Mitte und zartem lila Rand. Dicht verwobenes Bouquet mit schwarzbeerigen Konturen, tasmanischer Bergpfeffer und Brasiltabak. Im zweiten Ansatz Orangenblüten, getrockneter Rosmarin und dunkles Graphit. Am konzentrierten Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, feinkörnige Extraktfülle, sehr strukturiert und tiefgründig, engmaschiges Tanningerüst, balancierte Rasse, die den mächtigen Körper perfekt stützt. Im katapultartigen Finale wird der Gigant immer länger und nimmt richtig Fahrt auf, Wildkirsche, Bleistiftmine und "sucre-salinie"-Adstringenz im Rückaroma. Der schafft sich an einer der grössten Lynch-Bages zu werden. Das diesjährige Thema "Fiat Lux! Es werde Licht" passt zu dem Debut in der nigelnagelneuen Kellerei wie die Faust aufs Auge. Ganz klar: KAUFEN!* - 04/2021

JancisRobinson.com - 17++/20pts - JR: *Very deep, dense blackish purple. Suave, flattering nose with good freshness and precision. Marked tannins underneath (more so than its stablemate Haut-Batailley). This is less the old, spicy, comfortable pair of slippers Lynch-Bages and seems to be heading in a deliberately purer, ´cooler´ direction. Impressive undertow and persistence, but with interesting top notes such as tobacco leaf. Very ambitiously dry on the finish. Drink 2031 - 2049* - 05/2021

JamesSuckling.com - 98-99pts - JS: *Blackcurrants, orange peel, flowers and tar with hints of graphite. Full-bodied with a creamy texture of exquisitely polished tannins. It goes on and on. Intense flavors at the end, too, with lead pencil and lots of blackberry. Very classic and precise.* - 05/21

Vinous.com - (93-95) pts - AG: *The 2020 Lynch-Bages is deep, polished and so sensual. Dark cherry fruit, lavender, spice, leather and pipe tobacco fill out the layers. In 2020, Lynch-Bages is a bit darker and more virile in feel than is typically the case. There is plenty of weight and substance, though. I can´t wait to taste it from bottle. My impression is that the 2020 will be a very long-lived wine.* - 05/21

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - (94-96) pts - NM: *The 2020 Lynch-Bages contains proportionately more Merlot in the blend this year (31%) and will be aged for 18 months in 75% new oak. It has an intriguing bouquet, quite complex and classic in style, featuring tightly wound black fruit mixed with cedar, mint and touches of the estuary. One sniff and you know that the vines are in close proximity to the sea. The palate is medium-bodied with impressive weight on the entry, the tannins almost immediately coating the mouth (the IPT is 93, fairly high). But everything remains balanced thanks to the fine acidic thread, and it begins to firm up, becoming quite structured and, dare I say, reminiscent of Latour toward the finish. This is a Lynch-Bages that clearly will deserve long-term aging because there is real substance to this wine, and that will only increase during élevage. This is a great Lynch-Bages. The Cazes family should build a new winery to celebrate.* - 05/21

The Wine Cellar Insider - 95-97pts - JL: *The first vintage made in their brand new, state-of-the-art cellars is deep garnet in color. The wine rapidly opens with notes of Cuban cigars, cedar, creme de cassis, flowers and forest leaf aromas. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, soft, round and fresh. The elegant tannins allows the wine to gently unfurl, revealing its sweet red currants, kirsch liqueur and creamy textured, rich finish. This refined styled vintage of Lynch Bages blends 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, 13.4% ABV. The yields were only 33 hectoliters per hectare.* - 05/21