A true Pauillac classic from a “sleeper” vintage. The 2002 Lynch-Bages has aged beautifully, showing cassis, cedar, and earthy notes with firm yet melting tannins. Generous and structured, it balances elegance with power and is drinking wonderfully today. A vintage saved by a glorious Indian summer, this wine offers charm, depth, and the estate’s signature consistency.

The Wine Advocate | RP 93
Published: Feb 28, 2022
Drink: 2020-2040

The 2002 Lynch-Bages is showing brilliantly, after a four-hour double decant, wafting from the glass with an utterly classic nose of cassis and loamy soil mingled with hints of cedar and oak vanillin. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and layered, with plenty of rich, powdery tannins and lively acids, as its structure begins to melt, the wine's depth and length is becoming more and more apparent. Like the best examples of this vintage, the 2002 Lynch-Bages has proven a real sleeper.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 16
Published: Feb 25, 2025
Drink: 2010-2026

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged for 15 months in oak barrels (65% new).
Red core with brick at the rim. Lively and juicy but simpler and easy in style. Herbaceous note on the nose. Lighter weight and slightly drying on the finish. Unlikely to gain further complexity. Luncheon claret to be enjoyed now.

Lynchbages.com

Outstandingly consistent quality…

The estate’s reputation as a top quality wine producer took off in 1945 after a series of exceptional vintages. Over the years, the wines have gained finesse and complexity. Château Lynch-Bages is defined by its outstandingly consistent quality. Vintage after vintage, the wine has acquired greater accuracy, adding distinction to the hedonistic that made its reputation.

The wine’s distinctive character has earned it a place amongst Pauillac’s greatest. Generous right from its youth, it develops structure, finesse and elegance as it matures.

- 2002 -

Ageing
15 MONTHS
French oak barrels
(65% new wood)

Blend
80%Cabernet Sauvignon
12%Merlot
6%Cabernet Franc
2%Petit Verdot

The summer of 2002 will long be remembered by our region’s holidaymakers as a national disaster! The grapes, too, suffered from conditions that were less than favourable: days that were mostly overcast and interspersed with showers hampered maturation, and it was no thanks to the somewhat inclement weather that veraison took place. The clusters were small but fairly compact, and a uniform veraison was eventually achieved towards the end of August.

The last week of the month finally saw the return of an unusually long anticyclone. Leaf thinning carried out at the end of August enabled the grapes to reap the maximum benefit from the superb sunshine throughout September. Maturation was unleashed at last and progressed rapidly, aided, admittedly, by the low potential yield. The clusters were not overly loaded, and therefore ripened swiftly and evenly. The sanitary state remained perfect.

Harvesting began on 30 September and finished on the morning of 15 October, taking place in exceptionally sunny conditions. In a nutshell, the Indian summer saved the vintage, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon – the main variety in our blend.

A sometimes forgotten vintage surrounded by outstanding years, Lynch-Bages 2002 is fleshy and ample, and exudes charm.