Echo de Lynch-Bages Pauillac 2020 - Second Vin

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

World-renowned for its opulence and consistency, this Pauillac Fifth Growth has been owned by the Cazes family since the 1930s and has gained widespread acclaim since Jean-Michel Cazes took over its management in 1973. Following the successful handover from Jean-Michel to his son Jean-Charles, the estate has maintained all its vigor and vitality in recent vintages, retaining its depth while gaining precision in its tannins. The château produces an increasingly stylish dry white Bordeaux, though we still await a more precise wine for the second label, Écho. A new fermentation cellar is under construction, and it promises to be monumental, as the estate must hold its own in a highly competitive world!

Decanter

About the wine:

Blackberry notes, toasty aromas, and soft floral tones. Structured and serious from the first sip, with ultra-fine tannins that fill the mouth and coat the tongue and cheeks, yet with a fresh hint of graphite. Supple without being stiff, distinctly more slender without being austere; its supple texture lends it a lovely, pleasant, and welcome length on the palate. Juicy and vibrant, it overflows with energy and liveliness while remaining refined and elegant, without being overbearing. A truly impressive second wine, where the terroir takes center stage. Delicious and approachable, yet also confident and well-structured. 2026–2038

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

The name of this wine combines that of the Irish merchants who owned it in the 18th century with that of a hamlet located just south of Pauillac. Since the 1930s, its success has been the result of the tireless efforts of three generations of the Cazes family: Jean-Charles, André, and Jean-Michel. The contribution of Jean-Michel, who has since handed the reins to his son Jean-Charles, has been essential. His success is linked to the quality of the wines, produced from a vast 100-hectare vineyard, as well as to a sound development strategy that includes wine trading and tourism infrastructure (hotel-restaurant, shops).

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Jean-Charles Cazes now bears the responsibility of steering this prestigious Pauillac estate. His father, Jean-Michel—an exceptional figure in the Médoc, a tireless ambassador for Bordeaux wines, and the architect of this Fifth Growth’s reputation—is, however, never far away. The magnificent family estate, superbly situated on the Bages plateau, has produced an impressive series of wines without a single weak point since the early 1970s, establishing its rich, seductive, and immediately accessible style, while remaining capable of aging gracefully. Now equipped with a spectacular, brand-new, state-of-the-art winery, the estate is more on track than ever, and its popularity among many wine lovers is simply a fitting reward.

James Suckling

About the wine:

This wine displays intense notes of graphite and violet, with hints of pencil lead. It is full-bodied and firm, with soft, well-balanced tannins. There are hints of iodine. So intense. An excellent second wine. Like the Lynch grand vin from the 1980s. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

The first vintage produced in the new facilities, the 2020 Echo de Lynch-Bages is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, and aged in new oak barrels. This is a full-bodied and serious second wine, revealing classic Pauillac notes of pencil lead and tobacco, an abundance of ripe black fruit, velvety tannins, and a magnificent finish. One of the most opulent and full-bodied wines of the vintage, it has much to offer and closely evokes the style of the Grand Vin. 2023–2038

Yves Beck

About the wine:

An expressive, intense bouquet revealing mineral and fruity notes. Straightforward and taut on the palate. The imposing tannins provide body, yet the wine remains well-balanced thanks to the freshness of its acidity. Echo is a wonderful preview of a great wine! 2025–2040

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is aromatic and elegant, with floral notes. It features hints of violet, rose, and a touch of blackberry, combined with subtle notes of wild raspberry, small black berries, and iris, as well as a hint of tea and spices. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, freshness, good definition, a certain richness, a floral quality, richness, roundness, and body. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy, vibrant blackcurrant, cherry, and, more subtly, iris and violet, combined with hints of saffron, fresh, pulpy red berries, as well as subtle notes of gravel, toast, chocolate, and a discreet hint of toast and sweet spices. The tannins are massive, pronounced, structuring, and very finely velvety.