Lynch Bages Grand Cru Classe 2019

Paulliac, located at the heart of Bordeaux, is the holy grail for the best wines produced in the region. So much so, that 3 of the 5 chateaux classified as the best, Chateau Latour, Chateau Lafite and Mouton Rothschild, are located here. Lynch Bages is particularly popular here in Ireland and   is one of the most reliable and in demand Châteaux of Bordeaux. Prices are modest compared to those of the aforementioned 1er Cru Classe, and it represents good value for money. Owned by the Cazes family since 1939, this much loved wine consistently makes one of our most highly demanded and biggest selling wines of Bordeaux. The dashing Jean-Charles Cazes is at the helm for the last number of years, and his wines are as charming as he is. The recent vintages have been amongst the best ever.

100 points: Jeb Dunnuck
 A true classic from this estate, the 2019 Lynch-Bages has turned out brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis and sweet blackberry fruit mingled with licorice, mint, cigar wrapper and loamy soil. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it's a deep, multidimensional wine built around a chassis of rich, powdery tannins and succulent balancing acids. The last vintage produced in Lynch-Bages old winery, it will be interesting to compare this benchmark wine with subsequent vintages over the coming years. Drink Date 2029 - 2065

98+: Farr Vintners
The 2019 is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 3% each of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Saturated purple in the glass. The nose is sweet and powerful with black fruit, pencil shavings, cedar and coffee. There is such evident power to the aroma that brings great anticipation to the palate. This power is duly delivered, with a huge core of black fruit and chewy, mouthcoating tannins - this wine will need real patience but will doubtless be one of the longest-lived of the vintage. Set against the muscular texture come waves of peppery, ripe black fruit - cassis, kirsch, blackberry and dark cherry. The balance is exquisite. Despite the richness of both fruit and tannin there is real energy. Layers of spice continue to build to a very long and expansive finish. Outstanding.