2022, Blanc de Lynch Bages, BORDEAUX BlancBordeaux Blend: Sauvignon Blanc, Smillon, Muscadelle A small quantity (under 1,000 cases) of white wine is made at Lynch Bages. The 2022 is 67% Sauvignon Blanc, 22% Semillon and 11% Muscadelle. Very small production. 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

it soars out of the glass with opening notes of freshly crushed red and black cherries

Thienpont's decision to reduce the amount of new oak used to only 30% makes for even greater purity and expressiveness

My only question mark is a slightly gritty quality in the tannins that lurks beneath

a ton of black fruits

tending towards more loosely woven tannins and more approachability when young

Even with all of the natural richness of the year

almost surprisingly so for a second wine

The oldest vines were planted in the 1920s

it’s not powerful and ostentatious

Cabernet Sauvignon

which includes 19% Cabernet Franc and the balance Merlot

The rollercoaster growing season of 2014 is reflected to perfection by the innate tension here