The 2020 Lynsolence Bordeaux Blend, produced by Lynsolence in the Saint-Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France, is a noteworthy vintage composed entirely of old-vine Merlot. This wine has garnered high praise from multiple professional reviewers, reflecting its exceptional quality and depth.
Antonio Galloni of Vinous awarded the wine a score of 96, highlighting its "inky, deep and explosive" nature. He described it as having "remarkable energy" with vivid notes of "crème de cassis, crushed rocks, lavender, spice and menthol." Galloni concluded that this "potent, deep Saint-Émilion is a winner," labelling it as "superb."
Jeb Dunnuck, from jebdunnuck.com, gave the wine a score of 92, noting its deep purple color and complex profile of "black raspberry, cassis, graphite, camphor, and background spicy oak." Dunnuck mentioned that the wine, made from 55-year-old vines, was medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and velvety on the palate. He suggested that the wine's profile would become more classic with a few years of bottle age, recommending it would evolve well through 2035.
James Suckling rated the wine 94 points, appreciating its "aromas of ripe plums, chocolate bar, dark spices, and a little bit of tar." He described the 2020 Lynsolence as "medium- to full-bodied with a meaty structure," noting its chewy texture and layers of chalky tannins, culminating in a "lingering, velvety finish." Suckling advised trying the wine from 2026 onwards.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate provided a score range of 93-95+, focusing on the wine's "energetic scents of fresh blackberries, crushed black cherries, and ripe, juicy black plums." The wine's "firm, finely grained tannins" and "fantastic tension" were praised, with the publication highlighting its long and layered finish.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com also rated the wine 94, celebrating its deep color and complex palate. He noted the presence of "black cherry liqueur, licorice, chocolate, and flower notes" and described the wine as "lush, supple and deep," with a long finish marked by "chocolate covered black cherries, plums, and a touch of salt." Leve pointed out the significance of this vintage being the final one overseen by the late Denis Barraud, suggesting it would drink well from 2024-2042.
With an alcohol content of 14.5%, the 2020 Lynsolence is a well-rounded, deeply expressive wine that reflects the expertise and passion of its late producer, promising a rewarding drinking experience for many years to come.