2014 Chateau Lynch-Bages 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6×1.5L

Vinous 94+

The 2014 Lynch-Bages is just as powerful and dense from bottle as it was from barrel. Deep, powerful and bold, it possesses remarkable richness in all of its dimensions. Ripe red cherry, spice, leather, tobacco and rose petal all develop in the glass, but it is the wine’s sheer amplitude today that is quite remarkable. It will need quite a bit of cellaring to be at its best, and is clearly built to age. This is a terrific showing from the Cazes family. The blend is 69 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 26 % Merlot, 3 % Cabernet Franc and 2 % Petit Verdot. [Antonio Galloni, 01/02/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2024-2044

Robert Parker 93

The Chateau Lynch Bages 2014 is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot matured in 75% new oak. Yields were a respectable 40 hectoliters per hectare, although that figure is less than Jean-Charles Cazes predicted earlier in the season. The nose is well defined with veins of graphite infusing the black fruit: quite strict for Lynch Bages, a little reserved at this early stage. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannin, racy acidity although the pH is around 3.7, linear and a little austere on the finish. This is tightly coiled at the moment, gritty in the mouth but I like the Pauillac typicite here ” not a million miles away from Grand Puy Lacoste in style. This deserves respect and I suspect it will age with the style of Jean-Charles’s father, who turned 80 on the day of my visit. [Neal Martin, 04/02/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040

JancisRobinson.com 16++

Tasted blind. Black core with garnet rim. Raisiny fruit, a bit spicy and the alcohol seems to show on the nose. Very sweet black-fruit aroma of damsons. Then the tannins are rather tough by comparison with other Pauillac 2014s tasted today and there s some bitterness on the finish – but it could well come round. (JH) [02/08/2024]

Anticipated maturity: 2028-2036