Chateau Lynch Bages - Echo de Lynch Bages 2017
Chateau Lynch Bages Description
Château Haut-Bages Averous and the myth of Echo
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.
An echo of the First Wine's 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.
The Magnificent Seven...
While the 2017 vintage began with a very dry winter, temperatures were very mixed, with a very cool January and a rather mild February. Thus, bud break began around March 20th for the earliest Merlots. By mid-April phenological stages were on average ten days ahead of 2016, similar to the vintage of 2014.
The last two weeks of April saw two episodes of heavy morning frost in the Bordeaux vineyard. However, thanks to the proximity of the Estuary, our red grapes were not affected and produced satisfactory yields.
The first flowers appeared ten days earlier than the average dates recorded over the past twenty years, and flowering and fruit set occurred in very favourable conditions. Early summer saw high temperatures while water stress became apparent, notably on the gravelly soils. However, this phenomenon was attenuated with the return of rain at the end of June.
The summer of 2017 particularly dry, relatively sunny but quite cool despite sporadic peaks in temperature, confirmed that the vintage would continue its early development through to harvest. Indeed, harvest took place between 18 September and 5 October, one week earlier than in 2016.
Echo de Lynch-Bages 2017 has a brilliant colour and displays lovely purplish-blue garnet hues. Attractive savoury aromas on the nose, transpose into a rich and elegant palate of fresh red fruits (redcurrant and raspberry). Fine tannins combine with refreshing acidity to provide a very nice long finish.
James Suckling: 93 Points
A juicy red with plums and currants and hints of fresh herbs. Medium body. Lightly velvety with pretty fruit character at the end. A blend of 74% cabernet sauvignon, 24% merlot and 2% cabernet franc. Second wine of Château Lynch-Bages. Drink now or hold.
Vinous Media: 90 Points
The 2017 Echo de Lynch Bages is soft, open-knit and easygoing. A rush of sweet red cherry and red plum fruit gives the 2017 its open-knit, distinctive personality. Perhaps it is a bit less expressive than it can be in top vintages, but the balance here is impeccable. Pretty floral and spice notes add an attractive element of suaveness to this lush, supple wine.-- Antonio Galloni
Wine Advocate: 89 Points
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Echo de Lynch Bages has a rather earthy nose of truffles and damp soil over a core of baked plums, boysenberries and warm cassis. Medium-bodied, the palate features a chewy backbone and just enough black fruits, with an earthy finish.
Wine Spectator: 89 Points
Fresh and racy in feel, featuring cassis and bitter cherry fruit, flecked with savory and bay leaf hints. A graphite accent grounds the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2026. — JM