Château Lynch-Bages
Château Lynch-Bages
#PROPERTY: History & Terroir
The history of Château Lynch-Bages
The history of Domaine de Bages, now known as "Cru de Lynch", began in the 16th century with the first references to the land of "Batges". Generations of winegrowers have shaped this land, but its real development began in the 18th century with the Lynch family. At that time, Jean Lynch, from Ireland, acquired the estate by marriage, and his son Thomas marked a turning point by understanding the importance of terroirs and improving vine cultivation.
The technical revolution of the 19th century brought crucial innovations, notably the "new system" vat invented by Pierre Skawinski, which revolutionized winemaking by using gravity to handle the grapes. This breakthrough marked a turning point in winemaking methods at Lynch-Bages.
Four generations of the Cazes family have also left their mark. From 1875, with the arrival of Jean Cazes in the Médoc, the Cazes line became established and contributed greatly to the evolution of the estate. Each generation, from Jean-Charles to Jean-Michel, has played a crucial role in the revival, expansion and international renown of Lynch-Bages.
Their commitment to winemaking excellence has manifested itself through the decades, marked by significant moments, technical advances and key innovations. In 2022, after four years of construction, the estate celebrates a new chapter with the 2020 vintage, harvested and vinified in new facilities, marking a major milestone in its history.
The terroir of Château Lynch-Bages in the Médoc
Located on the outskirts of Pauillac, the vineyards of Château Lynch-Bages are divided into two distinct areas: one on the Bages plateau and the other near Château Mouton-Rothschild. They are planted on gravelly sand soils, favoring optimal drainage. At the heart of the Pauillac appellation, the 112 hectares of Château Lynch-Bages lie at the entrance to this renowned region. Situated along the banks of the Gironde estuary, this vineyard benefits from an exceptional terroir. The vines, with an average age of 30 years and some as old as 60, thrive on a homogeneous soil of Garonne gravel. This terroir is characterized by a stable geology and a mild oceanic climate, ideal for ripening grapes.
The region's climatic characteristics offer cool winters, wet springs, warm summers and sunny autumns, creating an optimal environment for grape ripening while preserving the delicacy and elegance of the grape varieties.
Geologically, the soil at Lynch-Bages is remarkably homogeneous, consisting mainly of Garonne gravel. These soils derive from the slow erosion of the Pyrenees by the Garonne River. Their composition, rich in pebbles and sands, offers exceptional drainage, accumulating heat during the day and releasing it on cool nights. Although not very fertile, this poor soil encourages moderate vine growth and deep rooting, contributing to the quality and complexity of the grapes.
Château Lynch-Bages or Lynches Bages? Lynch Moussas?
The correct name is Château Lynch-Bages. Lynches-Bages seems to be an incorrect variation or confusion with the official name of the château. As for Château Lynch Moussas, although they share the same Pauillac territory, the 2 Châteaux are quite distinct, with two different owners. Both Châteaux were classified Cinquième Grand Cru Classé in 1855.
#VINS DU DOMAINE : Appellations et Cuvées
The Pauillac appellation
The Pauillac appellation is one of Bordeaux's most prestigious vineyard appellations, located on the left bank of the Gironde. It is renowned for the exceptional quality of its red wines, which are among the most famous and sought-after in the world.
This exceptional terroir enjoys ideal geographical and climatic conditions for vine-growing. Pauillac's soils are mainly composed of gravel, pebbles and gravel, providing excellent drainage. The main grape varieties used in this appellation are Cabernet Sauvignon, which often dominates the blends, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and sometimes Malbec. Cabernet Sauvignon, in particular, finds the right conditions here to flourish, producing powerful, complex and elegant wines.
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Château Lynch-Bages cuvées
Blanc de Lynch-Bages
Echo de Lynch-Bages
Château Lynch-Bages
Château Lynch-Bages has forged an exceptional reputation among Bordeaux wines, marked by increasing precision vintage after vintage, beginning its ascent to fame as early as 1945 with a series of grands crus.
Château Lynch-Bages wine continues to blossom for 15 months in barrels, nearly two-thirds of which are new, contributing to the development and evolution of this exceptional vintage.
Its opulent, representative profile is in line with the great wines of Pauillac. Generous from their youth, the wines evolve towards greater structure, finesse and elegance over time, offering a rich, balanced taste experience. This ability to evolve while preserving their authentic identity makes Château Lynch-Bages a benchmark among the region's most esteemed wines.
L'Echo de Lynch-Bages is the second wine of the famous Château Lynch-Bages. It is made from younger vines or from lower-quality plots than those used to make the grand vin. However, Echo de Lynch-Bages remains a high-quality wine, reflecting the style and characteristics of its illustrious elder while offering a more accessible expression ready to be enjoyed younger. Often less complex in aroma and structure, it remains an excellent choice for discovering the essence of Lynch-Bages terroir at a more affordable price.
Blanc de Lynch-Bages, born in 1990, is the result of the harmony between the three emblematic white grape varieties of Bordeaux, grown on a 7-hectare plot. A precise blend of 40% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Muscadelle reveals the richness and viticultural diversity of this exceptional terroir. At Château Lynch-Bages, each stage, right through to fermentation in oak barrels for 6 months with regular stirring, is meticulously orchestrated to shape this exceptional wine, a living testimony to the art and science of winemaking.
Since 2006, a meticulous selection of grapes prior to harvest has enhanced the wine's freshness, while bringing out its fruity and floral notes. Selective harvesting of the grapes and precautions against oxidation preserve their aromas, favoring balanced aging of the wines.
This Blanc de Lynch-Bages blends the fresh fruit aromas of Sauvignon Blanc, expressing notes of blackcurrant buds, grapefruit and exotic fruit, with the subtle dried fruit and white flower aromas of Sémillon and Muscadelle. Precise fermentation and ageing in oak barrels add woody and vanilla nuances, enriching its aromatic complexity.
Wine production at Château Lynch-Bages
The harvest, the starting point of this oenological adventure, is carefully hand-picked, guaranteeing the selection of the finest grapes. Once harvested, these precious fruits find their way to the spectacular new vat room, a sleek, ultra-modern space designed by architect Chien Chung Pei. Here, everything works by gravity, a technique that allows for delicate handling of the grapes.
Innovation is a constant at Château Lynch-Bages: since 2006, the use of satellite technology has made it possible to divide up the grapes into individual parcels, thus enabling parcel-by-parcel vinification and celebrating the specificity of the terroir. This precise division is based on satellite data to preserve the estate's genetic heritage.
Respect for the environment is deeply rooted in the estate's practices. Reasoned cultivation techniques, controlled weed control, meticulous ploughing of the soil and environmental selection of products are all integrated to minimize the impact on the environment. What's more, the reprocessing of vinification waste water testifies to the estate's commitment to sustainability.
Top vintages of Château Lynch-Bages red 2006, 2008, 2010, 2019, 2020,2022
The renown of the vintages produced by Thomas Lynch was so impressive that the estate, then known as "Cru de Lynch", was awarded a distinguished place among the Cinquièmes Crus in the prestigious 1855 classification, produced for the Paris Universal Exhibition.
Qhat is the purchase price of a Château Lynch-Bages wine?
The purchase price of Château Lynch-Bages may vary according to several criteria, such as the specific cuvée, vintage and other characteristics of each wine. To discover and buy online the different vintages of Château Lynch-Bages or other wines from the Pauillac appellation, our site offers a careful selection of these products.
#IN BRIEF : Figures
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation : Pauillac
Surface area : 112 hectares (Red: 105, White: 7)
Red grape varieties : Cabernet-Sauvignon (71%), Petit Verdot (3%), Cabernet franc (4%), Merlot (22%)
White grape varieties : Muscadelle (12%), Semillon (25%), Sauvignon blanc (63%)
Vine cultivation : Reasoned