Blanc de Lynch-Bages 2022

Château Lynch Bages is one of the most well-known estates in all of Bordeaux.  The name of this property is so ubiquitous that it is recognizable even for Bordeaux novices who are just beginning to learn about the Classified Growths in the Médoc.  This is due to the tireless exploits of Jean-Michel Cazes, who was one of the most active brand ambassadors of all time. This charismatic man dedicated his life to a crusade promoting this excellent Fifth Growth Pauillac estate, ensuring everybody knew about the greatness of Château Lynch-Bages. Jean-Michel Cazes even agreed to send a half bottle of Château Lynch Bages to the moon in 1985, making it the first wine in outer space.  Marketing and fanfare aside, Château Lynch Bages excels in producing both red and white grand vin.  The wine, Blanc de Lynch Bages is considered to be one of the finest white wines in all of Graves.
 
Château Lynch Bages derives part of its name from the ancient village of Bages which was a commune for winemakers of many generations.  In 1862, the property was sold to the Cayrou brothers who named it after Thomas Lynch, the patriarch of the original family that owned the estate.  Château Lynch Bages was classified as a Fifth Growth in 1855, and less than a hundred years later was acquired by the legendary Jean-Michel Cazes.  Jean-Michel Cazes was already very well respected in the Wine Trade due to his ownership of Les Ormes de Pez, a leading Cru Bourgeoise estate located in St-Estèphe.  He bought Château Lynch Bages shortly before World War II and the property has stayed within the Cazes family ever since.  
 
The vineyards were expanded to 100-hectares in the late 1990s and Jean Michel Cazes made sure everything was modernized at Château Lynch Bages.  Blanc de Lynch Bages is made with a mixture of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle that thrive in the beautifully graveled soils of Saint-Sauveur.  The varietals are then harvested from a mixture of eight separate plots.  The climate is much cooler, lending a freshness to the grapes prior to vinification.  The key to producing such an elegant white wine is a gentle vinification process.  With the latest technology in the vat room, the viticultural team uses gentle extractions to create an aromatic and lively expression of white Bordeaux. 
 
As recently as 2017, a massive renovation and modernization of the winery’s technical facilities took place.  The project was headed by Chien Chung Pei and Li Chung Pei, sons of the famous architect who designed the glass pyramid for the Louvre in Paris.  The wine cellar is a 100% gravity flow facility, with vat rooms that house 80 stainless steel vats in various sizes for parcel-by-parcel vinification.  Château Lynch Bages is one of the most cutting-edge estates in terms of wine technology, using satellite imaging to survey the vineyard and conducting soil surveys to ensure the vines reach their potential. Blanc de Lynch Bages is a simply gorgeous wine.  One can expect crystalline aromas of citrus, stone fruit, and a delicate kiss of oak.

"Vivid white flower aromatics, here the stone fruits are clearly ripe and edging towards exotic mango and pomegranate, with subtle gunsmoke edging and slate texture. The team passed through the vineyard in successive times to ensure bunches came in as soon as they were ripe, and ensured reductive winemaking in individually temperature-controlled barrels to keep emphasis on fruit and aromatics. Harvest August 25 to 31, earliest ever. 3.2ph, 65% new oak. It's gourmet, with the texture and flesh that is a signature of the vintage, but never less than enjoyable." - Jane Anson, (04/26/2023), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2023-2030

"While the 2022 Château Lynch Bages Blanc had been bottled just prior to my visit, it wasn't showing any worse for wear and has a terrific perfume of honeyed lime, white flowers, citrus, and chalky minerality. Based on 67% Sauvignon, 22% Sémillon, and 11% Muscadelle, it stays fresh, vibrant, medium-bodied, and refreshing on the palate." - Jeb Dunnuck, (05/10/2023), Ratings: 94

"Peach, apricot, pear and green apple combine with sweet tropical fruit touches lending both a freshness and rich, gourmet aspect to this wine. Succulent and energetic - a nice balance between opulence and liveliness. Still on the serious side but with subtle minerality and enjoyable florality. 3.20pH. Ageing six months, 50% new oak. The first time all the grapes were harvested in August (25-31). 3.2pH. 4.3 g/L total acidity. Aged 6 months in barrels on lees (50% new oak)." - Georgina Hindle, Decanter, (05/25/2023), Ratings: 92

"The 2022 Blanc de Lynch-Bages is bright and nicely focused, with tons of Sauvignon Blanc aromas and flavors driving the blend. Citrus, white flowers, mint, chalk and tomato leaf are very nicely delineated. The 2022 has just been bottled, but its freshness is notable." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (05/09/2023), Ratings: 92, Drink: 2023-2027