{"product_id":"2017-chateau-lynch-bages-pauillac-grand-cru-classe","title":"2017 Château Lynch Bages Pauillac Grand Cru Classé","description":"\u003cp\u003e2017 Château Lynch-Bages Pauillac Grand Cru Classé is a beautifully poised Left Bank classic from one of Médoc’s most beloved estates. Officially classified as a 5ème Grand Cru Classé but long regarded as a ‘super second’ in stature, this wine delivers the depth, precision and polish that have made Lynch-Bages a modern Pauillac icon. The 2017 vintage stands out for its freshness, superb tannin quality and effortless balance, shaped by a relatively early-growing season and meticulous selection in the vineyard and chai.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2017 Lynch-Bages shows a deep garnet core with purple-blue highlights, signalling both concentration and youthful energy. The nose opens with a vibrant mix of blackcurrant, black cherry and ripe plum, layered with notes of cedar, graphite, cigar box and delicate wood smoke, plus hints of spice and earthy, fragrant soil.\n\nOn the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with a smooth, refined attack and excellent volume through the mid-palate. The black and red fruit profile is beautifully pure, framed by savoury notes of cigar wrapper, toasted oak and a subtle mineral edge. The tannins are firm yet finely grained and polished, giving the wine both structure and elegance, while a fresh, lifted acidity carries the flavours into a long, persistent, mineral-tinged finish. Drinking well with aeration in its youth, this 2017 has the balance and tannin quality to evolve gracefully for 15–20 years or more in a good cellar, gaining complexity and tertiary nuances over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe vineyards of Château Lynch-Bages lie on the great gravelly rises of Pauillac, close to the Gironde estuary, where deep gravel over limestone and clay provides superb drainage and naturally limits vine vigour. This classic Médoc terroir, combined with the moderating influence of the river, helped protect the estate from the damaging frosts of 2017, allowing Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to ripen fully and evenly. The 2017 blend is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, harvested parcel by parcel at optimal maturity between 18 September and 5 October—around a week earlier than in 2016. After careful sorting, the wine was traditionally vinified and then aged for 18 months in French oak barriques, 75% of which were new, lending structure, subtle toast and complexity without overshadowing the purity of the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Pauillac is a natural partner for richly flavoured, savoury dishes: think roast or grilled lamb with rosemary, entrecôte with herb butter, beef Wellington, game birds, or slow-braised short ribs. It also pairs beautifully with hard cheeses such as Comté, aged Gouda or mature Cheddar. For optimal enjoyment, serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). In its youth, decanting for 1–2 hours helps the aromatics unfurl and softens the tannins; as it matures in bottle, a gentle decant shortly before serving will help separate any sediment and allow the bouquet to fully express itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Lynch-Bages traces its roots back to the 17th century, when Irishman John Lynch settled in Bordeaux and established the estate in the village of Bages, just outside Pauillac. Since 1933, it has been owned and run by the Cazes family, a towering presence in the Médoc whose influence extends well beyond their vineyards. Under the guidance of Jean-Michel Cazes and now the next generation, Lynch-Bages has become one of Pauillac’s most admired and reliably top-performing châteaux, consistently punching above its official 5ème Cru Classé ranking and often being spoken of in the same breath as the region’s greatest names. The family’s broader ventures—including the renowned Cordeillan-Bages hotel and restaurant and their role in wine institutions such as the Commanderie du Bontemps and École du Bordeaux—have further cemented their reputation as ambassadors of Bordeaux’s quality and art de vivre.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Lynch Bages","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54255150956881,"sku":"GCW-MMUI-201703","price":159.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/1046_2015nm_c_1.png?v=1783456717","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2017-chateau-lynch-bages-pauillac-grand-cru-classe","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}