Chateau Lynch-Bages - Pauillac 2019

~~Price: $189.99~~

Sale Price: $149.99

Producer	Chateau Lynch-Bages
Country	France
Region	Bordeaux
Subregion	Paullac
Varietal	Bordeaux Blend
Vintage	2019
Sku	12014061
Size	750ml

CAC

100

In 2019, the Bordeaux region truly shined, with exuberant wines full of deep dark fruit and vibrant energy, firmly placing it in the ranks of the top three of the decade along with 2010 and 2016. Today I am happy to offer one of the vintage’s best wines, Lynch Bages.

The 2019 wine is one of the winery’s best wines ever, up there with the legendary 1989, but perhaps in a slightly different expression. It has racked up tremendous scores, including a perfect 100 from Jeb Dunnuck, plus 99 points from Vinous Media’s Antonio Galloni, 97+ The Wine Independant Lisa Perotti Brown, Jane Anson, Decanter Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, and James Suckling, plus 96+ from the Wine advocate, and 96 from Wine Spectator.

And then there is the price. As much as this Chateau overachieves on quality, they are also incredibly fair on pricing. Other 100 pointers from this great vintage will set you back quite a bit more: 2019 Château Margaux ($600), Vieux Château Certan ($300), Lafleur ($1100-$1800!!), Château Cheval Blanc Cheval Blanc & Lafite Rothschild ($500-$700+), but the 2019 Lynch Bages is THE top tier value of the vintage!

While it is going to need some time in the cellar, don’t fret. Give it a minimum of 7-10 years and a good decanting and you will be able to enjoy it in its primary phase after it sheds its baby fat and begins to harmonize and open up.

Hold it longer and the patient will be rewarded as this magnificent wine opens and expands, developing beautiful, complex secondary aromas and flavors, and then drinks great for a couple of decades at least.

The winery is a perennial overachiever, a Classified Fifth Growth, it consistently performs at a Super Second Growth Level. Tons of investment, commitment, a long history, and a brand new winery and cellar in the last decade have only made the wines that much better.

I do have a special place in my heart and cellar for these wines as Jean Michel Cazes, owner and Bordeaux icon, was the first Chateau owner I ever met - way back in 1979 in California at Chez Panisse of all places. It was a life altering moment, playing a part my decision to follow a career in wine. Only a handful of six packs available with perfect provinance - don’t wait!

Cheers! Chris

Jeb Dunnuck: 100 Points

Rated 100 Points, Jeb Dunnuck - “The 2019 Château Lynch-Bages is stunningly good, and it's going to be interesting to compare this to the 2018 over the coming decades. Based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 75% new French oak, its dense purple hue is followed by an incredible bouquet of pure crème de cassis, freshly sharpened cedar pencil, spring flowers, smoke, and graphite, with an almost liqueur of rocks-like minerality.

A massive, incredibly concentrated Lynch-Bages, Jean-Charles has hit a home run in the vintage, and this sensational wine has building, perfect tannins, insane purity, and a finish that won't quit. It has the purity, finesse, balance, and depth to offer pleasure not only today but to evolve for 40 to 50 years. Smart money will hide these for a good 7-8 years, but wow, what a wine. Bravo.”