Inky ruby in colour, muscular tannins with tons of dark fruit. The oak integration on the palate is next to perfection: vanilla, cloves, charred wood, toast that becomes even more dominant through the plate. Mint. Acidity is slightly restrained by grippy tannins, but the freshness comes though in a mint leaf finish, tapering to softer fruit and oak spices. 65% new oak, Jean-Charles Cazes owner, Harvest October 12-18.

(71% Cabernet Sauvignon/26% Merlot/2% Cabernet Franc/1% Petit Verdot)
Tight and restrained on the nose but there’s some warm earth underneath. Deep plum. Something lifted too - white flower. Very juicy fruit - once you break through the huge tannic structure. A real bruiser but actually real harmony there too. Needs much patience. Very good.

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. – James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, March 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. – jamessuckling.com, Feb 2015

The 2012 Lynch-Bages comes across as a bit bombastic and ripe. Mocha, plums, dark cherry, blackberry, licorice, tar and new oak are all evident in this slightly four-square Lynch Bages. Today, the 2012 comes in as somewhat disjointed and not fully put together. It will be interesting to see what further time in bottle brings. The blend is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Because of heat stress, yields were unusually low in 2012, and that may be the reason why the wine is a bit clumsy today. I would give the 2012 a few years to come together. Drink 2020 - 2037 - tasted July 2015

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. – eRobertParker.com, May 2013

Quality 787 | Brand 997 | Economics 887 | buzz brand
Quality: Above the average quality score of its peer group for the 2012 vintage, 703 Brand: #3 strongest restaurant presence on Wine Lister, featuring on 54 of the world's top wine lists, including Auberge du Soleil Economics: Above its peer group average price of £60 for the 2012 vintage Production: Older vines than its peer group average of 32 years

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017