Chateau Lynch-Bages 2022 Pauillac

Château Lynch-Bages 2022 Pauillac is a commanding and refined Bordeaux — a classic Left Bank wine that blends power, precision, and depth. Dense black fruit and finely grained tannins are underscored by cedar, graphite, and mineral tension, creating a wine that is both expressive now and built for long-term aging.

Origins & Craftsmanship

From the prestigious gravel ridge of Pauillac, Château Lynch-Bages is a Fifth Growth estate renowned for structured, age-worthy Bordeaux. The 2022 vintage showcases:

• Terroir: Pauillac’s gravel soils lend power, minerality, and Cabernet Sauvignon dominance. 

• Blend: Approximately 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot rounding out the structure.

• Viticulture & Winemaking: Meticulous fruit selection and traditional fermentation preserve purity, while aging in French oak (majority new) adds spice and texture. 

• Barrel Elevage: Extended aging (around 18 months) in oak barrels integrates richness and supports the wine’s powerful frame. 

This combination yields a wine of intensity and layered complexity — modern in expression but rooted in Pauillac tradition.

Critics Reviews & Scores

Leading critics uniformly praise this 2022 vintage as one of Lynch-Bages’ most impressive in recent years:

• James Suckling: 99 / 100 — lauds its rich blackcurrant and blueberry fruit, beautifully integrated tannins, and extraordinary cellar potential. 

• Jeb Dunnuck: 98 / 100 — highlights its blockbuster style with cassis, graphite, lead pencil, and layered structure that unfolds with time. 

• Vinous (Neal Martin): 97 / 100 — notes rich, deep layers of dark fruit, spice, leather, menthol, and powdery tannins, forecasting long-term development. 

• Robert Parker (Wine Advocate / William Kelley): 96 / 100 — describes a full-bodied wine with cassis, cherry, mint, pencil shavings, and well-integrated oak framing intense fruit. 

• Wine Spectator: 96 / 100 — emphasizes its broad shoulders, powerful dark fruit, graphite drive, and classic Pauillac structure. 

These elite scores reflect unanimity among professional reviewers: this is a standout Grand Vin with both early appeal and remarkable cellaring potential.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Rich aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry compote, graphite, tobacco leaf, cedar box, and subtle violet lift. Brambly spice and pencil-shaving notes add Pauillac signature complexity.

Palate:
Full-bodied and structured, with concentrated black fruit framed by firm, velvety tannins. Layers of cassis, plum, dark chocolate, and espresso mingle with mineral tension, cedar spice, menthol freshness, and a hint of tobacco.

Finish:
Long and resonant. Lingering dark fruit, graphite, savory spice, and mineral saline lead into an elegant, sustained close with fine tannic grip.

Quick Overview