Lynch Bages - Pauillac 2010

Vinous

95

byNeal Martinthe8/2/2023

The 2010 Lynch-Bages has a tightly wound nose: introverted black fruit, cedar and mint. Touches of iris flower and pencil box both emerge with aeration. These aromatics say: "Come back later." The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine acidity and firm grip. It feels linear towards the finish but is fresh with an attractive underlying marine note that enlivens and lends complexity to the finish. This is outstanding, but it is only for those with patience. Tasted at the Lynch-Bages vertical at the château.

Decanter.com

96

byGeorgina Hindlethe11/5/2022

Smoked and sweet spices on the nose and palate balanced by juicy fruits - the dark black bramble berries now replaced with vibrant and uplifting red cherries, strawberries and raspberries. Youthful still at this 12-year mark with oak spice present and lingering on the tongue with a clear tannic frame that holds everything in place. Structured and intentional with slate and liquorice giving a chalkiness to the mix too. Excellent energy and length - there's no doubting this is an excellent wine. You could definitely drink this now with a good airing but this promises great things if you can be patient enough to wait another five or so years.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

97

byJane Ansonthe3/11/2022

Deep, brooding damson in colour, a waft of crushed mint and pencil lead from the first moment, combined with liqourice, smoked earth, turmeric, cloves, orange peel and cassis fruit. This is an excellent wine that is subdued rather than generous but is built to last. 70% new oak.

Wine Advocate

97

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/2022

Still a saturated ruby-black in hue, the 2010 Lynch-Bages offers up aromas of rich cassis fruit mingled with hints of pencil shavings, loamy soil and cigar wrapper. Full-bodied, deep and muscular, it's rich and layered, with a concentrated core of fruit that's framed by firm, powdery tannins and lively acids. The most brooding, backward Lynch-Bages of the decade and one of the real successes of the vintage, this is a vibrant, tightly wound wine that is still an infant at age 10. Readers with bottles in their cellars might try one now out of curiosity, but this 2010 won't begin to hit its stride until age 20.

Vinous

95

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2020

The 2010 Lynch-Bages has a stunning bouquet with pixelated black fruit, crushed stone and graphite aromas that soar from the glass. This is just amazingly focused. The palate is medium-bodied with concentrated black fruit curiously tinged with cough candy, which here I find just a bit out of place. The acidity is extremely well judged and there is immense persistence on the finish. Bold, brassy and ambitious, this is an extremely impressive wine, although I suspect that there are better bottles out there. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. Drink 2023-2060

Wine Advocate

96

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/5/2020

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Lynch Bages comes sailing out of the glass with notes of redcurrant jelly, black cherry compote and cassis plus wafts of smoked meats, tar, cigar box and dried roses. Full-bodied, the palate is stacked with red and black fruit layers, framed by ripe, firm, fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92

byStephen Tanzerthe8/31/2013

Bright ruby-red.  Classic Pauillac aromas and flavors of cassis, black cherry, menthol, minerals and licorice lifted by a violet topnote.  Intensely flavored and sharply delineated, with terrific fruit intensity to support its very bright acidity.  This firmly structured, gripping wine is a bit dominated by its serious tannic spine today, but the dark berry fruit gained dramatically in creaminess with some time in the glass.  Potentially one of the best vintages for this large property in many years. 92 (+?) points

Wine Spectator

96

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2013

Roasted cedar, tobacco and bay leaf notes start off this structured but lively bottling, with intense currant, blackberry and black cherry flavors at the core. The iron-laced grip and pleasantly austere plum pit and licorice snap accents fill in on the tar-tinged finish. Great range, character and typicity. If you ever need to explain Pauillac to someone, give them this. Best from 2018 through 2037. –JM

Wine Advocate

96

byRobert Parkerthe3/1/2013

The 2010 Lynch Bages is an absolutely brilliant wine, and somewhat reminiscent at this stage in its development of the profound 1989. Jean-Charles Cazes, who took over for his father a number of years ago, has produced a magnificent wine with the classic creme de cassis note intermixed with smoke, graphite and spring flowers. It is a massive Lynch Bages, full-bodied and very 1989-ish, with notable power, loads of tannin, and extraordinary concentration and precision. This is not a Lynch Bages to drink in its exuberant youth, but one to hold on to for 5-6 years and drink over the following three decades.

Wine Advocate

93

byNeal Martinthe2/18/2013

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London and later at the chateau. The Lynch Bages 2010 has gone back into its shell since I tasted it out of barrel. It has very fine precision and comes across as understated and poised, although I hope it develops more vigour and fruit penetration. The palate is dense and focused, with light graphite notes infusing the black fruit and a keen thread of acidity lending it fine tension towards the finish. It just needs a little more attack, but that should develop with time. Tasted November 2012. (93+)

Jamessuckling.com

98

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2013

A wine with great beauty and finesse. Such elegance and ethereal quality for this estate. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a juicy delicious finish. Long and beautiful. This is the best Lynch in a long, long time. I love the precision here. Try in 2018.

Wine Advocate

95-97

byRobert Parkerthe8/31/2011

The 2010 blew me away on each occasion I tasted it during my two week sojourn in Bordeaux. Tannic and concentrated, this huge Pauillac boasts an inky/purple color as well as impressive notes of creme de cassis, smoke, graphite and spring flowers. This dense, seriously endowed, monstrous Lynch Bages is reminiscent of some of the wines made at this estate in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. It will require 4-5 years of cellaring and should be drinkable for 3-4 decades. Drink 2015-2055

Wine Advocate

95-97

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

2010: Over the last three vintages, Lynch Bages has returned with a vengeance after somewhat listless performances following their brilliant duo of 1989 and 1990. Much of the credit for this must go to Jean-Charles Cazes who has taken over for his father, Jean-Michel, one of the greatest ambassadors Bordeaux has ever had. The 2010 blew me away on each occasion I tasted it during my two week sojourn in Bordeaux. Tannic and concentrated, this huge Pauillac boasts an inky/purple color as well as impressive notes of creme de cassis, smoke, graphite and spring flowers. This dense, seriously endowed, monstrous Lynch Bages is reminiscent of some of the wines made at this estate in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. It will require 4-5 years of cellaring and should be drinkable for 3-4 decades. Drink 2015-2055

WeinWisser

19

byTjark Witzgallthe5/31/2011

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violette Reflexen. Blau- und schwarzbeeriges Bouquet, kompakt und auch gebunden, mittlere Intensität. Erstaunlich geschmeidig im Gaumen, fleischige Tannine, ausgeglichene Adstringenz, leicht kernige Substanz mit viel Rasse. Ein Lynch-Bages-Bolide, dem 1990er verwandt, aber mit wesentlich mehr Konzentration und Power! Wer den 2000er schon ausgestrunken hat, sollte sich hiermit einen würdigen Ersatz erwerben. 2018-2035.

Asian Palate

91-94

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/24/2011

The deep ruby 2010 Lynch-Bages has aromas of plums, blackberries, cherries and cedar, but is ultimately a very dark wine with amazing density and concentration and thick tannins. While these tannins are currently overwhelming, there is enough freshness there with hints of lively fruit and acidity that it will likely open up in about five years time.. This is a classy, serious Lynch Bages and will need time to evolve. 

Le Point

17,5

byJacques Dupontthe5/12/2011

Mûre, fruits noirs, bouche tendue, serrée, tanins soyeux en milieu de bouche, beaucoup de matière, tanins sérieux. vin carré, dense, intense, très riche. O=2019 O=20 ans

Decanter Magazine

18

bySteven Spurrierthe4/30/2011

Very good concentration of Cabernet fruits, rich and earthy, vibrant, vigorous flavours and packed with energy, a wine that once again justifies this château's reputation. Drink 2020-40. (18 points)

Jamessuckling.com

98-99

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

What incredible precision and clarity here. Currants, mineral, mint and lead pencil. Full body, with super refined tannins and a long, long finish. I am loving this young wine. It just builds on the palate. Goes so long. 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.

TAST

17-18

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2011

Très tannique et volumineux, un peu d’astringence à fondre, potentiel certain. Puissant mais moins immédiatement harmonisé que grand-puy-lacoste.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-95

byJeff Levethe4/25/2011

Lynch Bages 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Franc made up the blend for 2010. Visually, the wine sports a deep ruby color. It’s big, fat and concentrated, sweet ripe, blackberries and cassis. This is a masculine, powerful, structured vintage for Lynch Bages. The tannins are ripe, but this wine will require serious aging before becoming civilized. The wine ends with a blast of ripe, chewy cabernet fruit. Yields were close to 10% less across the board than in 2009 at 50 hectoliters per hectare. 94-95 Pts

Jancis Robinson

16

byJancis Robinsonthe4/20/2011

Very dark blackish crimson. Dense and superripe. Sweet black-cherry notes on the nose but rather awkward and tart on the palate. Rather ‘styled’ somehow. Not very well integrated. Really quite hard work with drying green notes on the end. Drink 2016-2022

Wine Enthusiast

96-98

byRoger Vossthe4/8/2011

A powerfully tannic wine, based on firm dryness. The weight offers potential fruitiness, while acidity gives it the necessary freshness.-R.V.

Wine Spectator

95-98

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2011

This is densely packed, with loads of crushed fig, plum and blackberry. Shows ample tobacco, roasted apple wood and bittersweet cocoa notes as well, but stays defined, with a long, authoritative finish that delivers waves of grip, backed by even more grip. —J.M.