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Lynch-Bages may be classified as Fifth Growth, but it's always top of the rankings. 96+ Points from Wine Advocate, 97 from James Suckling, 97 from Falstaff. It was praised for being "a true classic" (WA), "so Pauillac on the nose", "fantastic" (JS).
Tasting notes
Full bodied, rich, concentrated, firm tannins, plush and tight
Aroma
Blackberries, cassis, violets, pencil lead, eucalyptus, damp earth
More information
Lynch-Bages is one of the most cherished of all the classed growths. It lies on a plateau in the west of Pauillac, in the small village of Bages. Its extensive history dates back to the 16th century, with wine records back to the 1700s. It was owned then by Thomas Lynch, son of an Irishman from Galway, who worked as a Bordeaux merchant. Its most recent and significant history has been in the hands of the renowned Cazes family, owners since 1973, firstly Jean Michel and now his son Jean Charles. They produce a wine which is much finer than its Fifth Growth status and each vintage is given high scores. Delicious in youth, the wine ages magnificently – "impressive at five years, beautiful at ten years and irresistible at twenty," (Oz Clarke).