Echo de Lynch-Bages Pauillac 2017

Second wine of Chateau Lynch-Bages

Château Haut-Bages Averous is the name of a former Pauillac property, once purchased by André Cazes. This name has long designated the second wine of Château Lynch-Bages, the result of a determined selection for the first time during the harvest of 1976 and continued every year since then.

As of the 2008 vintage, Château Haut-Bages Averous changed its name. To better assert its lineage with the estate, it became “Echo de Lynch-Bages”.

Developed as an echo of the First Wine and enjoying the same attentive care from the vine to the storehouse, “Echo de Lynch-Bages” fits seamlessly in the line of its older brother: like him he has the flavour, aroma and finish characteristic of the wines of Pauillac. It is similarly marked by its roundness and suppleness, thus requiring less storage time in the bottle. Just like the nymph whose name he now bears, he never talks first but combines charm, elegance and seductive power.

Representing 25 to 40% of the harvest depending on the vintages, “Echo” is chiefly made from the property’s youngest vines. Its final blend often differs from that of Lynch-Bages by a slightly higher proportion of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is characterised by its soft tannins, a light and smooth oakiness, a silky texture in the mouth and a nice complexity.

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.