Château Lynch Bages 2007
Review of the Estate
Château Lynch-Bages is a winery in the Pauillac appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. Château Lynch-Bages is also the name of the red wine produced by this property. The wine produced here was classified as one of eighteen Cinquièmes Crus in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.
The 90 hectares (220 acres) of Château Lynch Bages are located just outside of the town of Pauillac. The vineyard occupies a gravel ridge looking down over the Gironde estuary. The well-drained soil consists mainly of deep gravel beds over a limestone sub-strata, and it is planted predominantly with red wine grape varieties There is also a small approximately 4.5 hectare (11 acres) plot planted with white varieties (40% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon blanc and 20% Muscadelle) Château Lynch Bages is primarily known for its eponymous red wine. The malolactic fermentation takes place mainly in large stainless steel tanks, and the wine then spends about 15 months in oak barrels (of which some 50-60% are new) before bottling.
As of 2008, the second label of Château Lynch Bages will be called, "Echo de Lynch-Bages". A third wine has now been added, called "Pauillac de Lynch-Bages".
Vineyard
Surface area: 222 acres
Grape Varieties: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot
Average age of vines: 30 years
Density of plantation: 9,000 vines per hectare
Average yields: 50 hectoliters per hectare
Average cases produced: 35,000 per year
Plateau of maturity: 6-25 years
Château Lynch Bages 2007 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 88
Delicious, supple and close to full maturity, the 2007 Lynch Bages exhibits a dark plum/purple color with some lightening at the edge along with tobacco leaf, bay leaf, black currant and earthy, loamy notes. Medium-bodied, supple and charming, it is best drunk over the next 7-8 years.
Wine Enthusiast
Point Score: 93
Rich, impressively ripe fruit, the fruit dense and black, with juicy black plum flavors followed by dusty tannins. The wine is chunky, powerful for the year, the dryness smoothed by new wood.
Stephen Tanzer - Vinous
Point Score: 89
(a blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 8% cab franc and 2% petit verdot) Bright medium ruby. Black fruits, licorice, leather and game on the nose, with menthol in the background. Quite tightly wound in the early going, with brisk acids framing the vinous flavors of cassis and bitter chocolate. A medium-bodied wine with a minty reserve, firm tannic spine and good length. Will merit a score at the high end of my range if elevage brings more pliancy and complexity. This is aging in 70% new oak, vs. 75% for the 2006 and 80% for the 2005.