The 2012 Lynch Bages is a remarkable Bordeaux Blend from the renowned Pauillac region in France. With its deep red color and elegant label, this wine is a true representation of the craftsmanship and expertise of Lynch Bages.
On the nose, the 2012 Lynch Bages offers a captivating bouquet of blackcurrants, blueberries, and lemons. These aromas are complemented by subtle hints of cedar, cigar box, and graphite, adding complexity and depth to the wine. It is a wine that demands attention from the very first sniff.
Upon tasting, the wine reveals its true character. The palate is full-bodied with firm tannins and a fresh, clean finish. It showcases a solid core of dark plum, crushed black currant, and blackberry fruit, accompanied by flavors of alder and iron. The wine displays excellent energy and depth, while still maintaining the austere edge of the vintage. It is a wine that will continue to evolve and improve with age, reaching its peak between 2018 and 2025.
The 2012 Lynch Bages is known for its dry, layered tannins that give it a major sense of structure. It is a wine with immense fruity depth and fine purity, hitting all the right Pauillac marks. It is concerned with precision and balance, showcasing no small promise of real potential. With five years of patience, it will undoubtedly improve, and a decade of further development lies well within its reach.
This wine is the result of careful blending, with 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. It has been aged in 75% new oak, which has contributed to its impressive oak integration and seamless flavor profile.
The 2012 Lynch Bages has received high praise from critics, with Wine Enthusiast awarding it a score of 95 points, describing it as very dry, with dense character and powerful structure. Wine Spectator also gave it a score of 92 points, highlighting its energy and depth. James Suckling praised its precision and gave it a score of 92 points, while Connoisseurs' Guide emphasized its balance and structure, awarding it a score of 91 points. Neal Martin's Wine Journal praised its attractive bouquet and taut tannins, giving it a score of 92 points. Decanter described it as a solid-structured wine with blackcurrant flavors, and Jane Anson awarded it an impressive score of 95 points, praising its muscular tannins and perfect oak integration.
Overall, the 2012 Lynch Bages is a wine of exceptional quality and finesse. It is a must-try for any wine enthusiast, showcasing the best of what the Pauillac region has to offer.