« The Rite of Spring »
2011 was a curious year with a remarkably warm and dry spring. Consequently, flowering took place early and in fine conditions.
July was cool and saw some rain, while August was mixed, cooler than average overall but with some heat spikes and some storms. September was warm and dry enabling the grapes to ripen fully.
Harvest began at Château Lynch-Bages (almost a fortnight earlier than in 2010) on September 12th and ended on September 28th.
Equipped with a new de-stemming system and an optical sorter, a complementary reception chain was tried out, receiving exclusively the harvest from plots deemed the most difficult or the most heterogeneous.
Echo de Lynch Bages 2011 stands out for the very high proportion of Merlot in its blending. On the nose, aromas of blackberry, cassis and red berries, along with a peppery note. The finish is tasty and exhibits good length.
Blending: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc
Production: 30% of the harvest