From: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc
Taste: This wine is a deep garnet color highlighted by purplish-blue tints. Dark red and blue fruits, including blackcurrant and black cherry complemented by notes of graphite, leather, mint, and mocha. Delicate floral tones add a refined elegance. On the palate, the tannins are well-integrated, creating a smooth texture, while subtle hints of spice enhance the black and red fruit flavors.
Pairing: Its blackcurrant and black cherry notes shine alongside a rosemary-crusted pork tenderloin, while the hints of mocha and leather complement the smoky richness of a grilled New York strip steak. For poultry lovers, roasted chicken seasoned with garlic and thyme provides a savory counterpoint to the wine’s fruit-forward nature.
The wine’s supple texture and spicy undertones make it an excellent match for hearty dishes like beef bourguignon, whose depth enhances the slow-cooked flavors. A wild mushroom and spinach lasagna pairs beautifully with the wine’s earthy complexity, while roasted portobello mushrooms stuffed with herbed breadcrumbs and Parmesan highlight its fresh, floral character. It also complements grilled beef kofta (or other grilled meats) served with a side of smoky baba ghanoush or a Spanish chorizo paella, as the wine’s structure balances the bold, savory flavors of the dish.
Baba Ghanouj
By Martha Rose Shulman
About: Château Lynch-Bages, an esteemed wine estate in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France, is renowned for its rich history, exceptional terroir, and commitment to producing wines of profound quality and character. The estate goes back several centuries in the region.
The origins of Château Lynch-Bages can be traced to the 17th century when the land was part of a larger estate owned by the Lynch family, Irish nobility who fled to Bordeaux to escape political unrest in their homeland. The property later came under the ownership of Thomas Lynch, a descendant who developed a keen interest in viticulture. By the mid-18th century, Lynch established the estate as a reputable producer of fine Bordeaux wines. The château’s reputation was further solidified when it was classified as a Fifth Growth in the Bordeaux Classification of 1855.
