Chateau Lynch-Bages 2020

The 2020 Château Lynch-Bages is a monumental release, marking the inaugural vintage produced in the estate's new, state-of-the-art gravity-flow winery. It displays a deep garnet-purple color and opens with a complex bouquet of crème de cassis, ripe blackberries, and dark cherries, layered with sophisticated notes of pencil shavings, tobacco leaf, and sweet spices. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and exceptionally concentrated, showcasing a "tightly knit ball of polished tannins" with a seamless, velvety texture. A vibrant acidity provides perfect balance to the rich core of black fruit, leading to an incredibly long, mineral-laced finish marked by echoes of graphite and iron. This vintage is noted for having a higher proportion of Merlot than usual, adding a supple richness to the traditional Pauillac power.

Food Pairing: Perfectly complements classic meat dishes such as roasted lamb, Bistecca alla Fiorentina, venison in a red wine sauce, or aged cheeses like Comté and sharp Cheddar.

99 Points - James Suckling