Michel Lynch Réserve Graves 2019 (Bordeaux) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious white wine from Bordeaux that newly arrived at the LCBO last weekend. It's featured as part of the theme on wine pairings with Fall Comfort Foods in the October 16th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Owners of the historic Château Lynch-Bages since 1939, the Cazes family has a long tradition in viticulture and hospitality. A common surname throughout the South of France, Cazes originates from the word "casa", meaning "house". The Cazes family were labourers from the Ariège region of southwest France, and left the mountains for their new home in Médoc in 1875. Starting as a baker in Pauillac, Jean-Charles Cazes took charge of Lynch-Bages in 1939 and rapidly crafted wines of great recognition. In the 1960s, Jean-Charles' youngest of 4 sons, André Cazes, took over the reins of the property, and regenerated and expanded the vineyard to almost 100 hectares by the end of the 1990s. In 1973, the next generation joined the family business when André's son, Jean-Michel, returned to Pauillac with his wife, and followed thereafter by their three daughters. In the late 1980's, Jean-Michel Cazes named his new range of wines in honour of Michel Lynch.

Michel Lynch was a man inextricably linked with the great wines of Bordeaux and the range pays homage to the knight who owned Château Lynch-Bages and was also Mayor of Pauillac during the French Revolution. Michel was born in 1754 and devoted his life to improving the wines on his Lynch-Bages property. He was a shrewd wine producer who is noted for his viticultural advances, in particular for his early trials of de-stemming - separating stalks and pips - prior to fermentation, a process that became widespread in Médoc.

The Michel Lynch range of wines are the result of rigorous selection and the art of blending. The wines are crafted in a modern and efficient wine-blending cellar in Macau, Médoc, and matured with patience until they posses a combination of lovely concentration, charm, and roundness. Let's see how this white wine from Bordeaux is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MICHEL LYNCH RÉSERVE GRAVES 2019 - AC, Bordeaux, France (#20901) (XD) - $22.95
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon was partially aged in oak barrels. The medium to medium-high intensity nose is minerally with lemon citrus, ripe apple, and hints of white floral aromas. On the medium-bodied, concentrated and dry palate, it is slightly viscous, creamy, and spicy with lemon citrus, apple, herbs, and subtle woody tones, all surrounded by leesy minerals. It has crisp and juicy acidity, while citrus, apple, and leesy mineral notes linger through to the long, crisp, and balanced finish. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines from the JM Cazes portfolio are available through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.