The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.
Wine Description
The Story
The power and elegance of a great Pauillac. Daring, innovative and known for often being the last to harvest, Jean-Charles Cazes defined the style of Lynch-Bages in the 1930's. The wine's distinctive character earns it its place amongst Pauillac's greatest. It combines structure, finesse and elegance. It is generous in its youth and develops more complex aromas with bottle age.
Outstandingly consistent quality
The estate’s reputation as a top quality wine producer took off in 1945 after a series of exceptional vintages. Since then, Lynch-Bages has continued to produce excellent wines, even during years considered difficult in the Bordeaux region. The wine’s deep colour and tannic backbone have become part of its signature style. Jean-Michel Cazes, grandson of Jean-Charles, has worked hard to develop and refine the wine’s supple and smooth structure over the years. Vintage after vintage, the estate’s precise and excellent winemaking techniques have served to firmly establish Lynch-Bages reputation for consistent quality.
Wine Information
Ageing: Wooden barrels for 15 months (65% new wood)
Blend: 72 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 23 % Merlot, 3 % Cabernet Franc, 2 % Petit Verdot
Production: 66% of the harvest
« The Rite of Spring »
2011 was a curious year with a remarkably warm and dry spring. Consequently, flowering took place early and in fine conditions.
July was cool and saw some rain, while August was mixed, cooler than average overall but with some heat spikes and some storms. September was warm and dry enabling the grapes to ripen fully.
Harvest began at Château Lynch-Bages (almost a fortnight earlier than in 2010) on September 12th and ended on September 28th.
Equipped with a new de-stemming system and an optical sorter, a complementary reception chain was tried out, receiving exclusively the harvest from plots deemed the most difficult or the most heterogeneous.
After two powerful, sunny vintages, 2011 is outstanding for its display of well ripened fruit, fine, plump tannins, and a good freshness to ensure classic balance.