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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. 97pts WK
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. LPB
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.
Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #205, Feb 2013)
The 2010 Lynch-Bages has a backward and rather surly bouquet at first, before gradually opening with blackberry, wild hedgerow, tobacco and subtle seaweed aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and fine acidity. It does not possess the complexity or nuance of the 2010 Grand Puy Lacoste tasted alongside and it seems more forward. But it does possess enormous persistence and grip, so I would not hesitate to afford it several more years in the cellar. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.
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.
– eRobertParker.com, Mar 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.
– eRobertParker.com, Nov 2013
Quality 888 | Brand 997 | Economics 926 |
buzz brand, investment staple
Quality: Predicted life of 23 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group for the 2010 vintage, which averages 13 years
Brand: #3 strongest restaurant presence on Wine Lister, featuring on 54 of the world's top wine lists, including Auberge du Soleil
Economics: Below its peer group average price of £117 for the 2010 vintage
Production: Older vines than its peer group average of 32 years
- www.wine-lister.com June 2017
Just an infant in its development, the wine is all about its potential. Powerful, full-bodied, concentrated and quite bright, fresh and tannic, the wine is not in a fun place to drink. The fruit is bright, lifted, fresh and firm, and there is a lot of it. But the structure and tannins are so front and center today that it demands at least a decade of aging before becoming civilized. For classic Pauillac fans, this is going to be worth the wait. But patience is warranted.
The 2010 Château Lynch-Bages is straight-up brilliant and shows the quality of this incredible château – as well as the vintage – beautifully. Still deep purple-hued, with a stunningly pure and classic Pauillac nose of cassis, darker currants, smoke tobacco, and lead pencil, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, polished yet substantial tannins, and an awesome finish. This beauty is up with the finest vintages from this château and has another 30-40 years of prime drinking. May 2023
Deep inky purple in colour, this is a majestic Pauillac to be savoured by Bordeaux lovers. Again we are far from it being ready to drink and the tannins continue to be dominant, although not hiding the layers of rich earthy loam, slate, pencil lead and concentrated cassis that lie underneath. It's impressive and built, muscular, taut and architectural. An excellent reflection of what 2010 brought to the wines in this corner of the Médoc. It's not the most enticing for drinking today; give it another few years to soften and open further, or really allow it to have a good four to five hours in a carafe. But there is no mistaking the future of this wine.
Tasted by Jane Anson (at BI London, 30 Jan 2020)
Part of Best Bordeaux anniversary buys: From 10-60 years
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