Castle Lynch Bages - Pauillac 2012

Wine Advocate

87 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

Aromas of blackcurrants, blueberries and lemons follow through to a full body, firm tannins and a fresh, clean finish. A little tight now but excellent. Precision to this. Back ended. Better in 2018.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

This has a very solid core of dark plum, crushed black currant and blackberry fruit, with lightly firm flesh and good drive through the finish, where alder and iron notes fill in. Shows excellent energy and depth, while harnessing the austere edge of the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2025. –JM

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

the12/11/2014

Dark and spicy. Compact, chewy tannins but there's fine dark fruit to complete the whole. Perhaps slightly on the austere side but balanced in that style.

(JH)13% Drink 2022-2032

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2013

This wine contains the lowest percentage of Cabernet at Lynch since 1994, reflecting the tricky growing conditions in the Médoc. This is still a pretty serious wine, mind you. The oak is a little intrusive, but it’s still a classic Pauillac with notes of green pepper, blackcurrant and graphite and densely packed tannins. Drink: 2022-35

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88-91 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2013

Deep purple.  Floral blackcurrant and mineral aromas on the delicate, pure nose.  Then equally delicate in the mouth, offering flavors of dark berries, graphite and cedar.  Finishes clean and long, with above-average concentration for the vintage.  Jean-Charles Cazes explained that the harvest reception system was changed this year, with two extra reception lines added to destem/sort and then sort again. The result was a very clean crop.

Le Point

17 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Fruits noirs, bouche ample, gourmande, bien fruitée, tanins fins, élégant, une version raffinée de Lynch Bages, très pur, très droit. O= 2018 G= 15 ans.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2013

Tasted en primeur at the château. The Lynch Bages 2012 is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 12th and 18th October and is being raised in 75% new oak just before the rains. It has a very attractive bouquet with crisp blackberry, sous-bois and graphite aromas that are very controlled. No frills here, but it does not need them. The palate is medium-bodied with taut tannins and again, crisp acidity. I like the line here – nicely focused with a grainy finish. Very fine. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Pure and racy, delivering a core of violet, cassis and cherry, well-framed by a sleek, iron-coated structure. Features a long, taut, focused finish. Shows the austerity of the vintage, but this remains long and pure, with fine cut. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

17.5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

My Bettane + Desseauve

17,5 / 20

the4/27/2013

Large, généreux, tannin parfaitement mûr, texture soyeuse et pleine, beaucoup de fondu, très réussi et très bien préparé.

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

Some of Lynch Bages's tell-tale cedary, black currant, earth and spice characteristics are present in the 2012's moderately intense bouquet. This wine exhibits good purity, a healthy dark ruby/purple color and medium body. There is a slight deficiency in the mid-palate, but it recovers sufficiently and offers up a decent finish that tails off ever so slightly. This good to excellent wine could use more fat and charm in the mid-section. Cellar it for a couple of years and drink it over the following 12-14 years.
Drink: 2013 - 2027

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot created a wine that will be aged in 75% new French oak. It took some effort to find the cedar, cassis, coffee and earthy notes. The ample tannins are refined, ending with spicy creme de cassis sensations. This will take time to soften. 90-93 Pts

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,5 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/25/2013

Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez fruité, mûr, frais et assez fin. Dense dès l’entrée de bouche, plutôt ample au milieu et même puissant au développement, ce vin très savoureux et très Pauillac dans son style, évolue juteux et profond avec du goût, des tanins un brin carrés, mais toujours savoureux. C’est une belle réussite. Assemblage : 71 % cabernet sauvignon, 26 % merlot, 2 % cabernet franc et 1 % petit verdot. Degré d’alcool. 13°45. pH : 3.67. IPT : 84. Rendement viticole : 39 hectolitres à l’hectare. Sélection : 35 hectolitres à l’hectare.

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/24/2013

Drink 2025-2040
Blackish purple. Lots of minerals on the nose. Tight and taut and almost painfully tart but there is energy here certainly!

Decanter.com

17,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/22/2013

Rich dense colour, big meaty wine with good florality as well as rich fruit, a big wine, very ripe for this vintage. 17.5/20pts ( 91/100pts)
Drink: 2017 - 2035

Wine Spectator

88-91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/5/2013

Shows solid thyme, sweet pea and jicama notes, with a fresh, tarragon-filled finish. Features a stony hint and good cut. —J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

A fruity wine for the vintage with dense tannins. Full body, with impressive structure. Long finish. Generous and attractive. I like the balance and precision for the vintage.