Chateau Lynch-Bages Pauillac "Echo de Lynch Bages" 2020
(Bordeaux, France) - [JS 95-96] [JD 93] [DM 93] [WS 91]

About the Winery:
In the heart of the Médoc on the banks of the estuary, Pauillac has been the true birthplace of Grand Cru Classé wines since 1855, and Château Lynch-Bages stands as one of Pauillac’s most compelling names—a 5ème Cru Classé with a reputation that far exceeds its official ranking.

Renowned for its generosity of fruit and unmistakable structure, this estate's wines combine the precision of modern technique with the soul of Bordeaux tradition, delivering bottles that age with grace and authority.

Overlooking the Gironde estuary at the entrance to Pauillac, the vines of Lynch-Bages are located on the Bages plateau, spreading across 100 hectares in the region on one of the finest gravelly rises in the appellation. The estate once belonged to the famous Lynch family, of Irish origin, and was acquired by Jean-Charles Cazes in 1934. His grandson, Jean-Michel Cazes restructured the estate in 1974, adding state-of-the-art winemaking equipment, while keeping the former wooden vats as a reminder of the 19th century.

Marking four centuries of history and the culmination of four years’ hard work, the 2020 vintage, the first in the renovated cellars, has opened a new chapter in the life of the estate – and attained #3 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list for 2023.

About this Wine:
Château Haut-Bages Averous was the name of the former Pauillac estate acquired by André Cazes and was the domaine's second wine from 1976 onwards. It was renamed Echo de Lynch-Bages as of the 2008 vintage in order to affirm its relationship with the Grand Cru Classé. Its name Echo refers to the nymph from Greek mythology who was deprived of speech by Hera as a punishment for distracting her when Zeus wished to consort with beautiful mortals. As such, although Echo de Lynch-Bages is not the first to speak, it shares the first wine's elegance and character.

Like its big brother, Echo de Lynch-Bages displays the characteristic taste, aromas and length of Pauillac wines. As an echo of the first wine, it receives the same care and attention from the vine to the cellars. It is the result of a selection of Lynch-Bages' youngest vines and specific plots which represent between 25 to 40 % of the harvest depending on the vintage. Echo de Lynch-Bages is round, soft and seductive in its youth with outstanding potential for bottle age.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes: Echo de Lynch-Bages 2020 displays vibrant ruby purple in the glass with pure and lifted aromas of fresh redcurrant and raspberry. The palate unfolds with well-rounded tannins on a fresh and elegant finish 

Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot

Ratings & Reviews

95-96 Points - James Suckling: 
"Intense graphite and violet character with lead pencil. It’s full and firm with chewy and balanced tannins. Iodine coming through. So intense. Super second wine. Like the grand vin of Lynch from the 1980s. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot." (May 2021)

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck: 
"The first vintage made at the new facility, the 2020 Echo De Lynch-Bages checks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot that was raised all in once-used barrels. It’s a big, mouth-filling, serious second wine revealing classic Pauillac lead pencil and tobacco notes., plenty of ripe black fruits, velvety tannins, and a great finish. One of the more opulent, expansive wines in the vintage, it has loads to love as well as more than a hint of the style of the Grand Vin." (Mar 2023)

93 Points - Decanter Magazine: 
"Bramble fruit, toasty aromas and soft florality. Structured and serious from the get go with super fine tannins that fill the mouth and coat the tongue and cheeks, but with a cool, graphite grip to them. Supple but not plush at all, definitely more lean but not strict as this has a soft chew giving a lovely appealing, welcome weight in the mouth. Juicy and vibrant, this has energy and life but remaining refined and elegant, nothing has been overworked here. A really impressive second wine with terroir speaking. Succulent and easy but also confident and well built." - Georgina Hindle (Jan 2023)

91 Points - Wine Spectator: 
"This has a nice generous feel, with cassis and damson plum unfurling easily, backed by light floral and iron notes through the fresh finish. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2033. 10,416 cases made." – JM (Mar 2023)