Our Wines & Spirits

Neal Martin: The Chateau Lynch Bages 2014 is a blend of 69%Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% PetitVerdot matured in 75% new oak. Yields were a respectable 40hectoliters per hectare, although that figure is less thanJean-Charles Cazes predicted earlier in the season. The nose iswell defined with veins of graphite infusing the black fruit: quitestrict for Lynch Bages, a little reserved at this early stage. Thepalate is medium-bodied with chalky tannin, racy acidity althoughthe pH is around 3.7, linear and a little austere on the finish.This is tightly coiled at the moment, gritty in the mouth but Ilike the Pauillac typicit?here – not a million miles away fromGrand Puy Lacoste in style. This deserves respect and I suspect itwill age with the style of Jean-Charles's father, who turned 80 onthe day of my visit.