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Goedhuis, April 2015, Score: 91-93
In the same mould as Pontet-Canet, this has a real feel of 1996. A classical Pauillac, balancing a lovely herbal freshness, with tightly integrated tannins. A structured wine with real life and vibrancy.
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Neal Martin, April 2015, Score: 92-94
The Château Lynch Bages 2014 is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot matured in 75% new oak. Yields were a respectable 40 hectoliters per hectare, although that figure is less than Jean-Charles Cazes predicted earlier in the season. The nose is well defined with veins of graphite infusing the black fruit: quite strict for Lynch Bages, a little reserved at this early stage. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannin, racy acidity although the pH is around 3.7, linear and a little austere on the finish. This is tightly coiled at the moment, gritty in the mouth but I like the Pauillac typicité here – not a million miles away from Grand Puy Lacoste in style. This deserves respect and I suspect it will age with the style of Jean-Charles's father, who turned 80 on the day of my visit.
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Antonio Galloni, April 2015, Score: 90-93
A huge, dense wine, the 2014 Lynch-Bages rips out of the glass with layers of intense fruit. Huge swaths of tannin provide the framework for a decidedly extroverted, boisterous Pauillac. Hints of dark red and purplish-hued fruit, spices, new leather and cedar gradually open up, but it is the wine's explosive personality that speaks most loudly at this stage. I don't quite see the finesse of the very best Pauillacs. It will be interesting to see if that develops in the coming years. The blend is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. At present, the 2014 is aging in 75% new barrels.
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James Suckling, March 2015, Score: 95-96
This has fascinating aromas already with blackcurrants and cassis. Hints of spices. It’s full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and a long, focused finish. Muscular but toned and beautiful.
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Decanter, April 2015, Score: 92
Very well-expressed natural concentration of fruit, very ripe tannins and lots of complexity to come. A richly textured, firmly structured wine with the Lynch-Bages hallmarks for the future. Drink: 2020-2035
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Matthew Jukes, May 2015, Score: 18+
(69 Cabernet Sauvignon, 26 Merlot, 3 Cabernet Franc, 2 Petit Verdot) In the context of the vintage this is a very rich, very exotic Lynch Bages with layers and layers of cassis fruit and a long, plush finish. Forget that the tannins are so dry and that it seems a little unfinished on the back palate, because this is a very smart wine with a brilliant, daring blend and total control over its destiny.
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Jancis Robinson, April 2015, Score: 17
Blackish crimson. Sweet and luscious and almost with black-cherry super-ripe aromas! A note of something charred here. Pretty interesting. Lots of work to overpower the tannins. Should make very good old bones to chew over. Long and glamorous. Tasting it blind, I guessed it was Lynch. Drink 2024-2040
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Tim Atkin, May 2015, Score: 96
Fans of this château, of whom there are many, should be delighted with the quality of its 2014 release, which is up there with the super second growths. It’s a very complete, harmonious wine, even at this young age, with superb oak integration, noble tannins and impressive fruit density. A 20 year wine. Drink: 2022-35
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Wine Spectator, March 2015, Score: 93-96
Offers lovely weight and feel, with a big core of plum, blackberry and black currant fruit that manages to show refinement, while ample charcoal and warm stone notes flow underneath. This is displaying terrific depth and purity today.
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Neal Martin, March 2017, Score: 92/100
The 2014 Lynch Bages was actually similar to the 2014 Pichon Baron on the nose: tight and surly at first, demanding a lot of coaxing from the glass. It eventually opens up with a mixture of red and black fruit, cedar and tobacco, gaining more harmony and intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite linear and focused at the moment, precise if just needing a little more body and depth to evolve on the straight-laced finish. Give this Pauillac 4-5 years in bottle and it is likely to repay you. Neal Martin Score 92/100 Drink Dates 2019 - 2038
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Neal Martin, June 2021, Score: 92
The 2014 Lynch-Bages is just a little meager on the nose, well-defined but lacking presence and fruit intensity and a bit dusty by comparison. It could be a question of not having enough time, a tiny amount of stage fright perhaps? The palate is better with pleasant tart red cherries mingling with blackberry, cedar and mint. There is a fine spicy component towards the finish as it gently fans out. Conservative, not necessarily elegant, yet with classic charm. Tasted at the Lynch-Bages vertical at the château. 2021-2032
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Neal Martin, February 2024, Score: 92
The 2014 Lynch-Bages has a wonderful, precise, focused bouquet that exudes class. The oak is beautifully assimilated with superb mineralité. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a dash of white pepper and sage, gaining depth towards the harmonious and almost Saint-Julien-inspired finish. Probably ready now, but can drink over the next 15 to 20 years. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
