Chateau Lynch-Bages 2024

Based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 3% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2024 Château Lynch-Bages will spend 18 months in 75% new oak. It reached 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.67. This is a rich, powerful Pauillac, just as you'd expect from this address, with a dense purple hue and rocking aromatics of smoky currants, cassis, violets, lead pencil, and spicy wood. Medium to full-bodied, it has beautiful purity, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This is a classic, impeccably balanced Lynch-Bages that will be long-lived.

• Nombre del Crítico: Jeb Dunnuck

Ruby with violet edging, opens to show chalk and slate tannins, giving a sense of restraint and grip, this is savoury and juicy with plenty of cassis fruits, delivers Pauillac consistency in an inconsistent vintage, and also it is just rather delicious. 75% new oak. 3.67 pH,

• Ventana de Consumo: 2030 - 2045
• Nombre del Crítico: Jane Anson

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Delicate notes of wood, goji berry, tobacco savouriness, some cassis and blackberry, attractive bouquet. Juicy, red berry, lively structure, mineral, a hint of nougat in the aftertaste, elegant and with maturity and certain ageing potential.

The 2024 Lynch-Bages was cropped at just under 30 hl/ha and aged in 75% new oak for a planned 18 months. It has some initial reduction that is shaken off after several minutes. Very pure blackberry and blueberry fruit emerges with hints of melted tar and graphite, and iodine eventually lends more complexity. The palate is medium-bodied and quite focused with grippy tannins that are impressive for their fineness. The 2024 possesses palpable mineralité and a poised finish. Though this does not touch the skyscraping heights that have been achieved in recent years, it is a "capable" Lynch-Bages that might warrant two or three years in the cellar and drink well for up to 15 years or possibly longer.

• Ventana de Consumo: 2030 - 2048
• Nombre del Crítico: Neal Martin