Chateau Lynch Bages - Pauillac 2011

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe8/31/2014

Good bright ruby.  Dark aromas of cassis, licorice, violet and vanilla.  Penetrating and well-delineated, showing a light touch to its intense if slightly lean dark fruit and spice flavors.  Finishes with very good grip and length, but a bit tart for me.  A wine of very good but not outstanding concentration.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2014

The medium-bodied 2011 Lynch Bages possesses a saturated ruby/purple color as well as beautiful creme de cassis notes, a generous, concentrated, well-made, medium to full-bodied style and supple tannins. A successful effort in 2011, it should be drinkable in 3-4 years and last for 15+. It is a sleeper of the vintage.

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014

A dense, chewy wine for the vintage, with plum, currant and blackberry character. Full body, polished tannic texture and a bright finish. Very pretty indeed. This needs time to soften. Try in 2019.      

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2014

This has solid guts, with plum, currant and blackberry fruit melded together at the core, while notes of charcoal, warm tobacco and singed iron form the backdrop. Should be very solid when it comes together after some cellaring. Best from 2016 through 2028.

La Revue du Vin de France

16,5-17 / 20

the5/31/2012

Le château enchaîne les très belles réussites. 2011 est un vin racé, à la proportion relativement élevée de merlot (23%). L'ensemble est d'une superbe droiture, avec d'abondantes notes de fruits rouges frais et des tanins élégants. La finale s'étire sur des notes finement acidulées.

Le Point

16,5-17 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/17/2012

Fruits noirs, épices, grillé, violette, bouche tendre, pas trop extraite, tendue mais fine, fraîche, élégante, juteuse, serré en finale, petits tanins croquants, séveux. O= 2018 G= 15 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

87-90 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012

Opaque purple-ruby. Lead pencil, coffee, black pepper and blackberry on the nose. Enters sweet and suave, then turns lean and a bit dry in the middle, showing only moderate concentration to its red cherry and peppery flavors. Picks up some flesh and volume at the back, finishing good persistence, smooth tannins and a lingering note of cassis. A charming Lynch-Bages that’s more forward than usual and will probably be best drunk over the near to medium term.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/7/2012

72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Fran, 2% Petit Verdot. Sattes Purpur Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Erhabenes, tiefgründiges Bouquet, schwarze Pflaumen, Cassis, Waldbrombeeren, dunkles Leder, schwarze Schokolade und auch etwas Minze. Fleischiger Gaumen, viel schwarzbeerige Substanz, dichte Tannine, gesunde, aber doch feine Adstringenz. Erinnert mich ganz stark an die Fassprobe von 1985er! Da liegen 19/20 drin, in 10 Jahren. 2016-2039

TAST

17-17,5 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012

Belle ampleur comme toujours, beaucoup de chair et de présence en bouche, avec une fraîcheur que le cru n'avait développé depuis de nombreuses années. Jeune et prometteur mais évidemment moins complet que le 2010 comme pour la plupart des Pauillacs.

Decanter.com

17 / 20

the4/30/2012

Fine density of blackcurrant Cabernet fruit, very good natural richness and very ripe tannins. Drink 2016-2030. (17 points)

Wine Advocate

90-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2012

Another strong effort produced under the administration of Jean-Charles Cazes (the son of Jean-Michel Cazes, who spent decades building Lynch Bages into one of the most popular Bordeaux estates), the 2011 boasts an inky/purple hue in addition to copious aromas of black currants, incense, forest floor and ink. Deep, rich, medium to full-bodied and layered with supple tannins as well as the vintage-s freshness and vibrancy, it should age easily for 20 years.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/27/2012

The 2011 Lynch Bages is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot raised in 75% new oak. It has an elegant, understated bouquet compared to its peers, with pure blackberry and cedar aromas, linear and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a gentle but firm grip, with a harmonious crisp quintessential Pauillac finish with graphite lingering on the aftertaste. This is a stylish Lynch Bages, born to be drunk and enjoyed. Tasted April 2012

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2012

72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot are found in the blend, which reached 13.2% alcohol and will be aged in 75% new oak. Yields were 45 hectoliters per hectare. Deep in color with a perfumed filled with coffee, blackberry, chocolate and tobacco, there are ample fresh and bright cassis flavors found in the finish. 91-93 Pts

Asian Palate

90-91 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2012

This is a very dense Lynch Bages with firm, generous tannins which have been very well handled. Flavours are polished and layered with a fairly long finish. Flavours of blackberries, plums and fresh Chinese red dates mingle here. This wine will require several years for the tannins to soften but it shows good ageing potential.

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/17/2012

Drink 2021-2032
Extremely sweet dark fruit, more damson than cassis. Firm, dry, grippy tannins seem to overwhelm the fruit. Need to prize your mouth apart on the finish. Needs a lot of time and I hope the flesh will emerge. (JH)(16+ points)

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2012

This has nice weight and intensity, with a solid core of plum, blackberry and cassis that's offset by a racy, spicy frame. Very sleek through the finish, with latent depth in reserve.—J.M.

Wine Enthusiast

94-96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/4/2012

Like so many wines in this vintage, this shows black-currant acidity. It’s lively and fruity, with the firm tannins providing a counterpoint. —R.V

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/1/2012

This is quite wonderful with a beautiful balance of ultra-fine tannins and pretty fruits from currant to blueberries. Full-bodied. Delicious to taste. Deft winemaking here for the vintage.