Chateau Lynch Bages 2009

Château Lynch-Bages is one of the most prestigious estates in Pauillac, Bordeaux, classified as a Fifth Growth in the 1855 Classification yet widely regarded as performing at a much higher level. Its history is closely tied to Irish ownership and influence. The property takes its name from the Lynch family, originally from Galway, who settled in Bordeaux in the seventeenth century as part of the Irish wine merchant community. Thomas Lynch acquired the estate in the eighteenth century and served as Mayor of Bordeaux, establishing Lynch-Bages as a respected name well before the 1855 Classification. The property has been owned by the Cazes family since 1939, who transformed Lynch-Bages into a benchmark château through rigorous vineyard management and investment in quality. The vineyards lie on the Bages plateau overlooking the Gironde estuary, planted primarily on deep Garonne gravel soils over limestone and clay, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon. Viticulture is conducted with a strong emphasis on sustainability, careful parcel selection and low yields, though the estate is not certified organic or biodynamic. The 2009 vintage in Bordeaux was exceptional, marked by a warm, dry growing season and ideal harvest conditions, producing ripe, powerful wines with remarkable balance, structure and longevity.

Château Lynch-Bages 2009 is a classic Pauillac blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon at approximately 70%, supported by around 15% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and a small proportion of Petit Verdot. Fermentation is carried out in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, followed by ageing for roughly 18 months in French oak barrels, with a significant proportion of new oak. The wine displays intense aromas of blackcurrant, cassis, cedar, graphite and tobacco, with hints of spice and dark chocolate. The palate is full-bodied and powerful yet refined, with dense fruit, polished tannins and a long, structured finish. It pairs beautifully with roast lamb, beef Wellington, venison and aged hard cheeses. Now drinking superbly with decanting, the 2009 still has considerable ageing potential and is expected to develop gracefully for several decades. The vintage received numerous high critical scores, including 97-98 points, with one leading critic describing it as “a monumental Lynch-Bages with extraordinary depth, precision and length”.