The 2011 Lynch-Bages has a well-defined nose with tightly-wound black fruit laced with mint and graphite. This certainly needs time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, fleshy tannins. It`s open and generous with black cherries, wild strawberries and touches of orange rind. There`s good substance, and it`s fleshy on the finish. The 2011 is quite a delicious Lynch Bages. Tasted at the Lynch Bages vertical at the chateau. 92 points

Deep rich garnet hues. Lush, refine nose of fruit with hints of cream - increasingly detailed since Jean-Charles Cazes took over. Gorgeous entry with great presence leading to a fat and threaded palate. Lovely streak of cream running on the mouth-filling and layered mid-palate. Bursting with savours of cabernet sauvignon on finish. Polished and utterly delicious. 90 points

Like Pontet-Canet, this is a chateau that continues to make a mockery of the 1855 classification. There’s much more Merlot in the blend than usual because it suffered less from the drought than the other varieties, according to Jerome Le Roux, and 75% new oak because of the `tannic structure`. The result is a rich, hedonistic red blend, bursting with blackcurrant and liquorice flavours and dense, yet supple tannins. 10+ years. 95 points