93pts James Suckling

Aromas of sandalwood, cedar and dark berries follow through to a full body, with chewy and rich tannins that remain fine-grained and polished. Flavorful, too. Second wine of Lynch. Try after 2023.

92pts Jeb Dunnuck

The second wine of the estate is the 2016 Echo de Lynch Bages, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 27% Merlot, all aged in once-used barrels. Classic dark fruits, graphite, licorice, cedarwood, and subtle oak all emerge from this medium-bodied, balanced, layered Pauillac. With terrific purity, drink this while you do your best to stay away from the grand vin.

92pts Wine Spectator

This is on the muscular side, with a taut frame of chalky minerality around a slightly chunky core of red and black currant paste flavors. Lots of charcoal and warm cast iron notes score the finish, lending additional texture and length to the overall impression. A violet hint flows through to give this a hint of charm. Best from 2022 through 2035.

91pts Decanter

Echo de Lynch-Bages this year accounts for 25% of overall production, and even here we are at a tannin index of 85IPT. But the freshness is undeniable, with a pH of 3.55 giving beautiful violet reflections on the colour. On the palate, there are softer brambly fruits than in the grand vin. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot.
Barrel Sample.

91pts Vinous

The 2016 Echo de Lynch Bages was a real surprise - in a good way. It offers attractive blackberry, briar, pencil shaving and light floral notes on a nose blessed with fine lift and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins, conveying a sense of symmetry and precision. While not overly complex or profound, there is clearly some prudent, considered winemaking behind this excellent wine. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.

90pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2016 Echo de Lynch Bages is deep garnet-purple colored and opens with kirsch, redcurrant jelly and baked blackcurrants with nuances of tilled soil and dried herbs. The palate is medium-bodied, packed, elegant, refreshing and tightly wound with firm tannins, finishing long.

Winemaker's Notes

Echo de Lynch-Bages 2016 is both supple and powerful. It releases fresh fruit aromas, elegantly underlined with the oaky and spicy notes acquired from ageing. On the palate, it is perfectly balanced and its tannins are already round and mouth coating.

About the Wine

The story behind the name…

On Mount Olympus… According to Greek mythology, Zeus – a sometimes fickle husband – entrusted the nymph Echo with distracting his wife Hera by engaging her in endless chatter when he wished to tarry with some beautiful mortal. Hera, on discovering this little game, pronounced sentence on the nymph with the following words: “You will never be the first to speak, but you will always have the last word”. Echo’s life had changed forever, but that is another story…

Back in Bordeaux… Château Haut-Bages Averous is a property in Pauillac, acquired some time ago by André Cazes. For over 30 years, it was Lynch-Bages’ second wine. In 2008, a new identity was given to the second wine, under the name “Echo de Lynch-Bages”.

Echo de Lynch-Bages displays savoury aromas of fresh red fruits. Round, mellow and seductive in its youth, its ability to age is outstanding.

About the Winery

Château Haut-Bages Averous was the name of the former Pauillac estate acquired by
André Cazes and was the Domaine’s second wine from 1976 onwards. It was renamed Echo de Lynch-Bages as of the 2008 vintage in order to affirm its relationship with the Grand Cru Classé. Its name Echo refers to the nymph from Greek mythology who was deprived of speech by Hera as a punishment for distracting her when Zeus wished to consort with beautiful mortals. As such, although Echo de Lynch-Bages is not the first to speak, it shares the first wine's elegance and character.

Like its big brother, Echo de Lynch-Bages displays the characteristic taste, aromas, and length of Pauillac wines. As an echo of the first wine, it receives the same care and attention from the vine to the cellars. It is the result of a selection of LynchBages' youngest vines and specific plots which represent between 25 to 40 % of the harvest depending on the vintage. Echo de Lynch-Bages is round, soft, and seductive in its youth with outstanding potential for bottle age. 

Blend: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot