The 2018 Lynch-Bages Bordeaux Blend from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France is a robust and highly regarded red wine. Composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, this wine was aged in 75% new barriques. It has an alcohol content of 14.5% and is sealed with a traditional cork closure.
James Suckling awarded this wine a score of 97, praising its "aromas of blackberries, cloves, licorice, dried leaves, graphite and black olives" and noting its "firm, tight tannins." He described it as "structured and tannic with beautiful austerity and a long, mineral and layered finish."
Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss also rated it 96, highlighting its "richness and the density of its structure and tannins." He emphasized the wine's "restrained power and opulence" and advised drinking it from 2027.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave it a 96 as well, describing the wine as "deep garnet-purple in color" with a "magnificently expressive nose of blueberry compote, black cherry preserves, and blackcurrant pastilles." She noted the "juicy black berry and spicy layers" on the palate, supported by "firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness."
Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider awarded a high score of 97, mentioning the wine's "deep and dark color" and its flavors of "crème de cassis, blackberry, black cherry liqueur, BBQ smoke, and Cuban cigars." He remarked on its "richness, round, juicy, multi-layered essences" and predicted it would be "one of the top vintages of Lynch Bages ever produced."
Decanter's review by an unnamed reviewer gave it a 96, calling it a "serious and impressive wine" with "grippy tannins" and a "powerful texture and concentration of ripe fruits, bitter dark cocoa powder, dried herbs, and soft spices."
Jeb Dunnuck, in his review, rated it 98 and called it "one of the finest vintages" he has ever tasted from Lynch-Bages. He praised its "incredible aromatics, richness without weight, perfect balance" and described it as a "true blockbuster in every sense."
Overall, the 2018 Lynch-Bages is a well-structured, complex, and highly acclaimed wine with significant aging potential. It is praised for its rich flavors, robust tannins, and balanced acidity, making it a standout vintage in the Lynch-Bages lineup.