ITEM: 133186
UPC: 802236000485
Chateau Lynch Bages
chateau lynch-bages pauillac (grand cru classe) 2015 750ml
$224.99
CHATEAU LYNCH BAGES PAUILLAC 2015
WINEMAKER NOTES:
Daring, innovative and with a reputation for often being the last to harvest, Jean-Charles Cazes defined the style of Lynch-Bages in the 1930's. The wine's distinctive character has earned it a place amongst Pauillac's greatest. It combines structure, finesse and elegance, offering generous aromas in its youth and developing deeper complexities with bottle age.
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
At Lynch-Bages, harvesting took place in excellent conditions, except for one very rainy day in October. Grape sugar content was sometimes high, but alcoholic fermentation was completed rapidly and the wines had a low volatile acidity. Then followed post-fermentation maceration, which gave the already harmonious wines some fatness and volume. The aromas were at last able to show their full complexity. The 2015 vintage is rich, ripe, velvety and already has silky tannins. In terms of variety, although diluted slightly by the September rain, the Merlot nevertheless gives the wine a lovely freshness and beautiful fruity aromas. The Cabernet and Petit Verdot express rarely-reached notes of fresh, ripe fruit.
As for previous vintages, one third of malolactic fermentation took place in vats and two thirds in barrels. Fermentation was quite quick, and by the end of November it had ended for all the chateau's batches. So 2015 is characterised by its elegance and great homogeneity. Its tannin ripeness is perfect, and its wonderfully balanced acidity enhances the aromatic freshness of the fruit. The 18 months of ageing that follow will leave the wine time to develop its full structure and radiance.
Lynch-Bages 2015 has a brilliant, deep colour with purple hues. Its nose clearly expresses aromas of cassis and dark fruit, mixed with the empyreumatic notes that come with ageing. It has a straightforward attack and a voluminous yet supple mid-palate. The wine has a marked but silky tannic structure, and a persistent finish illustrative of a particularly ripe vintage.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM:
"One of the finest Pauillacs of 2015, Lynch-Bages is rich, racy and voluptuous. A rush of dark red and purplish stone fruit, mint, new leather, spice and blood orange give the 2015 a very decidedly exotic character that is impossible to miss. Raspberry jam, mocha, new leather and expressive floral notes appear with time in the glass, rounding things out nicely. Even though the 2015 is quite forward and open at this stage, the wine has plenty of stuffing as well as the underlying structure to support many years of exceptional drinking. This is a stellar showing for Lynch-Bages."
96 points, Vinous
"This vintage was ideal for the rich style that this estate has made its own. This wine is full bodied and ripe with black-currant and dark berry fruits. The tannins fall into the cushioned wine with ease and richness. Of course, the wine should be aged, so wait until 2026."
96 points, Wine Enthusiast
"Brambly and attractive ripe blackberries and red-plum aromas with some floral accents, too. The palate has a very plush, polished and regal shape as tannins frame up a core of ripe black fruit. Succulent, impressive finish. Best from 2022."
95 points, James Suckling
750ml
WINEMAKER NOTES:
Daring, innovative and with a reputation for often being the last to harvest, Jean-Charles Cazes defined the style of Lynch-Bages in the 1930's. The wine's distinctive character has earned it a place amongst Pauillac's greatest. It combines structure, finesse and elegance, offering generous aromas in its youth and developing deeper complexities with bottle age.
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
At Lynch-Bages, harvesting took place in excellent conditions, except for one very rainy day in October. Grape sugar content was sometimes high, but alcoholic fermentation was completed rapidly and the wines had a low volatile acidity. Then followed post-fermentation maceration, which gave the already harmonious wines some fatness and volume. The aromas were at last able to show their full complexity. The 2015 vintage is rich, ripe, velvety and already has silky tannins. In terms of variety, although diluted slightly by the September rain, the Merlot nevertheless gives the wine a lovely freshness and beautiful fruity aromas. The Cabernet and Petit Verdot express rarely-reached notes of fresh, ripe fruit.
As for previous vintages, one third of malolactic fermentation took place in vats and two thirds in barrels. Fermentation was quite quick, and by the end of November it had ended for all the chateau's batches. So 2015 is characterised by its elegance and great homogeneity. Its tannin ripeness is perfect, and its wonderfully balanced acidity enhances the aromatic freshness of the fruit. The 18 months of ageing that follow will leave the wine time to develop its full structure and radiance.
Lynch-Bages 2015 has a brilliant, deep colour with purple hues. Its nose clearly expresses aromas of cassis and dark fruit, mixed with the empyreumatic notes that come with ageing. It has a straightforward attack and a voluminous yet supple mid-palate. The wine has a marked but silky tannic structure, and a persistent finish illustrative of a particularly ripe vintage.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM:
"One of the finest Pauillacs of 2015, Lynch-Bages is rich, racy and voluptuous. A rush of dark red and purplish stone fruit, mint, new leather, spice and blood orange give the 2015 a very decidedly exotic character that is impossible to miss. Raspberry jam, mocha, new leather and expressive floral notes appear with time in the glass, rounding things out nicely. Even though the 2015 is quite forward and open at this stage, the wine has plenty of stuffing as well as the underlying structure to support many years of exceptional drinking. This is a stellar showing for Lynch-Bages."
96 points, Vinous
"This vintage was ideal for the rich style that this estate has made its own. This wine is full bodied and ripe with black-currant and dark berry fruits. The tannins fall into the cushioned wine with ease and richness. Of course, the wine should be aged, so wait until 2026."
96 points, Wine Enthusiast
"Brambly and attractive ripe blackberries and red-plum aromas with some floral accents, too. The palate has a very plush, polished and regal shape as tannins frame up a core of ripe black fruit. Succulent, impressive finish. Best from 2022."
95 points, James Suckling
750ml
