CHÂTEAU LYNCH BAGES

Still muscular at 10 years old, this has grip and a sense of tingling minerality, plenty of eucalyptus and fresh mint leaf. This maintains its Pauillac character even in a softer goumet vintage like 2012, and is pleasing for it. Slate and graphite, far more intensity than some, with subtle a sweetness to the blackcurrant puree fruits. 65% new oak. Rating: 95 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Mar 2022)

Tasted blind. Rich and thick. Very dense but with the tannins a little obtrusive at this point. Full blooded. Just very slightly earthbound. But pretty seductive. Just an edge of austerity. Drinking range: 2022 - 2034 Rating: 16.5+ Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Jan 2016)

The 2012 Lynch-Bages comes across as a bit bombastic and ripe. Mocha, plums, dark cherry, blackberry, licorice, tar and new oak are all evident in this slightly four-square Lynch Bages. Today, the 2012 comes in as somewhat disjointed and not fully put together. It will be interesting to see what further time in bottle brings. The blend is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Because of heat stress, yields were unusually low in 2012, and that may be the reason why the wine is a bit clumsy today. I would give the 2012 a few years to come together. Drinking range: 2020 - 2037 Rating: 91+ Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Jan 2016)

The fruit on the nose is rich and there is a good weight and depth of flavour on the palate. The tannins are firm and quite obvious but behind the structure there is depth and richness of fruit. The finish is a touch dry and lacking a bit of generosity. 2020-30 Rating: 88-92 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (Dec 2013)

This wine contains the lowest percentage of Cabernet at Lynch since 1994, reflecting the tricky growing conditions in the Médoc. This is still a pretty serious wine, mind you. The oak is a little intrusive, but it’s still a classic Pauillac with notes of green pepper, blackcurrant and graphite and densely packed tannins. Drink: 2022-35. Rating: 93 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (May 2013)

The Lynch Bages 2012 is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 12th and 18th October and is being raised in 75% new oak just before the rains. It has a very attractive bouquet with crisp blackberry, sous-bois and graphite aromas that are very controlled. No frills here, but it does not need them. The palate is medium-bodied with taut tannins and again, crisp acidity. I like the line here – nicely focused with a grainy finish. Very fine. Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2013)

Deep purple. Floral blackcurrant and mineral aromas on the delicate, pure nose. Then equally delicate in the mouth, offering flavors of dark berries, graphite and cedar. Finishes clean and long, with above-average concentration for the vintage. Jean-Charles Cazes explained that the harvest reception system was changed this year, with two extra reception lines added to destem/sort and then sort again. The result was a very clean crop. Rating: 88-91 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2013)

Some of Lynch Bages's tell-tale cedary, black currant, earth and spice characteristics are present in the 2012's moderately intense bouquet. This wine exhibits good purity, a healthy dark ruby/purple color and medium body. There is a slight deficiency in the mid-palate, but it recovers sufficiently and offers up a decent finish that tails off ever so slightly. This good to excellent wine could use more fat and charm in the mid-section. Cellar it for a couple of years and drink it over the following 12-14 years. 2013 - 2027 Rating: 87-89 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Apr 2013)

Rich dense colour, big meaty wine with good florality as well as rich fruit, a big wine, very ripe for this vintage. Drink: 2017 - 2035 Rating: 17.5 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2013)

Rating: 18 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Apr 2013)

Pure and racy, delivering a core of violet, cassis and cherry, well-framed by a sleek, iron-coated structure. Features a long, taut, focused finish. Shows the austerity of the vintage, but this remains long and pure, with fine cut. Rating: 91-94 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2013)

A fruity wine for the vintage with dense tannins. Full body, with impressive structure. Long finish. Generous and attractive. I like the balance and precision for the vintage Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2013)

Rating: 93 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2013)