2010 Lynch Bages

A classic, masculine, structured wine from this great château, the 2010 Château Lynch-Bages reveals smoky black fruits, iron, graphite, and crushed stone-driven aromas and flavors. Still youthful and full-bodied on the palate, it has building tannins, a concentrated, layered, powerful mouthfeel, and a great finish. It’s certainly accessible yet still probably 4-5 years away from its true prime drinking window. Drink 2030-2060.

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Aged for 15 months in oak barrels (70% new). Deep colour, although not quite as dark as 2009. Complex and perhaps a little fresher. Concentrated but without the fat and volume of 2009. Huge structure with the tannins finely honed. Long and lithe on the finish. Less exuberant and seductive at this stage compared with the previous vintage but has the same potential. (JL)

This is tannic architecture fully realised in a glass, one to taste to understand just how muscular Pauillac can become. Even at 15 years old it is still closed and a little austere, even a little raw, but with zero doubt that it will smooth out. Punchy, liquorice root, black fruits, bilberry, crayon, crushed rocks, smoked earth, pomegranate, gunsmoke, curling violets as it opens.