2013 Lynch Bages

The 2013 Lynch-Bages is one of the better Pauillacs in this vintage. With lively black fruit on the nose, there's some essence of mineralité and tension. A cassis hint emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. Touches of cola infuse the black fruit. It's sweet on the finish with blood orange and herbaceousness on the aftertaste. Thoroughly enjoyable, given the growing season. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year On tasting.

The 2013 Lynch-Bages showed a little volatility initially, although this seems to disappear with aeration. It displays red fruit, kirsch and just a touch of fig aromas. Strange for this vintage! The palate has commendable concentration but becomes a little monotone in the glass and lacks a bit of joie-de-vivre . Tasted at the Lynch-Bages vertical at the château.

Medium ruby in colour, fresh redcurrant and raspberry fuits, delicate and sappy with attactive floral character given depth by sweet cedar, campfire and ash notes, finishing with waves of salty caramel. The team here has done a great job with a difficult vintage, without bypassing its issues altogether. 70% new oak. Harvest October 1 to 12.