2015 Lynch Bages

The 2015 Lynch-Bages has an intense nose of black fruit, cedar and pencil box aromas. This is muted at first but it only takes a few swirls to unleash the aromas. The palate is medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, with grainy tannins, real depth and grip. This has dispensed with some of its surliness and there is now more brightness toward the finish. The 2015 is excellent.

Slate and cocoa bean on the opening, delicious wine, soft rose petals, bilberry and cassis fruit, waves of black tea and steely tannins, great quality, not quite the depth through the mid palate of the 2014 or 2016, but this is full of Pauillac signature and will age well. 75% new oak, Daniel Llhose technical director.

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in oak barrels (75% new). Purple hue. Fragrant and appealing on the nose with dark-fruit and floral notes. Palate juicy and refined with well-integrated tannins. Plenty of length and energy on the finish. Youthful but accessible now, still with the potential to age. (JL)