Château Lynch Bages 2013
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 2013 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 87
The 2013 Lynch Bages has a crisp blackberry and cedar-scented bouquet, poised and nicely focused, if simple. Nothing wrong with that. The palate is medium-bodied with good density on the entry, but I detected a green seam that nags away and upsets the finish. If that unwanted green element was not present, it would replicate the promising showing from barrel. However, it is here at the moment. Re-tasted at the property in July 2016, the bouquet was correct and there was more roundness to the texture, although there remained that slight greenness on the finish. I might not use the word "superficial" to describe this Lynch Bages. That might be too strong. But it does feel like a wine discombobulated by the challenging growing season.
Wine Spectator
Point Score: 91
This solid red sports a tangy iron streak from the start, with lively red currant and briar patch notes forming the core. A zip of savory cuts through the finish, which reveals lightly chewy grip in the end.
Point Score: 92
Aromas of blackberry, black currant and flowers. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Extremely well done for the vintage. Drink or hold.