2019 Chateau Lynch-Bages Pauillac Rouge

(Updated 4/3/25)

About This Wine

The 2019 Château Lynch-Bages Pauillac Rouge is indeed a standout Bordeaux from a highly acclaimed vintage. Expanding on the initial description, this wine exhibits a captivatingly deep, saturated purple color, hinting at its concentration and youth. The nose is immediately expressive, revealing layers of pure crème de cassis, ripe blackberries, and dark plums, characteristic of the Cabernet Sauvignon dominance in the blend (typically around 70%). These primary fruit aromas are beautifully interwoven with more complex notes of freshly sharpened cedar pencil, subtle hints of tobacco leaf, and an alluring spiciness that can range from black pepper to delicate touches of licorice and mint. You might also detect elegant floral nuances, like violets, and a distinctive Pauillac signature of lead pencil or graphite.

On the palate, the 2019 Lynch-Bages is full-bodied and structured, showcasing the vintage's excellent tannin quality. The tannins are powerful and present, providing a firm backbone and ensuring the wine's aging potential, yet they are remarkably well-integrated and velvety, contributing to a sophisticated mouthfeel. The deep dark fruit flavors persist, joined by nuances of bitter cocoa, espresso bean, and sometimes a subtle earthiness or a hint of cigar wrapper. The wine possesses a vibrant acidity that provides freshness and balance to its richness and concentration.

The finish is where the 2019 Lynch-Bages truly shines. It is exceptionally long and persistent, leaving a lasting impression of the wine's purity, depth, and harmonious structure. The flavors of cassis and spice linger, often accompanied by a refined minerality reminiscent of crushed stones or graphite. This is a wine built for the long haul, with many critics suggesting it will continue to evolve and improve in the cellar for several decades, potentially reaching its peak after 2029 and offering pleasure for 40-50 years.

The 2019 vintage in Pauillac is considered exceptional, marked by favorable weather conditions that allowed the Cabernet Sauvignon to reach optimal ripeness, resulting in wines with concentration, structure, and finesse. Château Lynch-Bages, a consistently reliable estate, has produced a 2019 that is widely regarded as one of their finest in recent years, often drawing comparisons to legendary vintages like 1985 and even the esteemed 1989. It's a quintessential Pauillac that beautifully exemplifies the power, elegance, and aging potential of this renowned appellation.

Score

98 points, James Suckling