Château Lynch-Bages 2020

A silky and aromatic Pauillac Cru Classé

The estate

Located at the gates of Pauillac, Château Lynch-Bages is a property that has left its mark on the history of the Médoc. Although the terroir of Bages has been known since the 16th century, it was in the 18th century that it gained fame. With the son of an Irish citizen named Thomas Lynch at the helm, the Bages vineyard was recognised at the Universal Exhibition in Paris. Château Lynch-Bages was acquired by the J-M Cazes family on the eve of the Second World War and is one of the finest references in the Pauillac appellation.

In a constant quest for excellence and innovation, Château Lynch-Bages carried out a new plot division in 2006, breaking down 90 original cadastral plots into 180 to 200 sub-plots. The 2020 vintage is the first vintage to be made in the brand new infrastructures of Château Lynch-Bages. Designed by the architect Chien Chung (Didi) Pei, internationally renowned for his pure architectural style, the new vat room and its ageing cellar are state-of-the-art tools aimed at elevating the terroir of this emblematic property on Bordeaux’s Left Bank.

The vineyard

Placed on the Garonnais gravel soils of Pauillac, the 100-hectare vineyard of Château Lynch-Bages is today under the direction of Nicolas Labenne. Satellite technologies are employed for accurate plot division of the vineyard, as a way to preserve the wine heritage of the property. The homogeneous geology of the soil allows for a good supply of water to the vine in an area where the climate is moderate.

The vintage

While the heavy rainfall in winter replenished the water reserves of the vineyard, the mild weather during the spring favoured the development of the vines. Despite a few rainy days and a drop in temperatures at the end of April, the vineyard cycle was 3 weeks ahead of schedule. The good climatic conditions of May favoured an even flowering. The dry and sunny summer was characterised by great thermal amplitudes, ensuring the optimal ripening of the grapes. In mid-August, some stormy days helped the fruit ripen. The hot, dry conditions that followed allowed for the harvest of small, perfectly concentrated grapes.

Winemaking and ageing

The Lynch-Bages 2020 is the first vintage vinified in the estate's new facilities. The harvest was done by hand with selective sorting in the vineyard. Two thirds of the malolactic fermentation took place in vats and one third in barrels. Aging lasted 18 months in French oak barrels, 75% of which was new oak.

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (60%)
Merlot (31%)
Cabernet Franc (4%)
Petit Verdot (5%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château Lynch-Bages 2020

Tasting

The Château Lynch-Bages 2020 entices with its concentration as well as with the refinement of its tannins, which mingle with a beautiful freshness. It is a great vintage which completes an excellent trilogy, along with the 2018 and 2019.