It may not be the easiest name to pronounce (lunch bags? Linch barges? Or in Cantonese, Lan Chi Pat) but Château Lynch-Bages is one of the wines that deserves a 21st-century reclassification. A fifth growth (fifth!), Lynch Bages is famously “very superior to its classification”. Widely considered as one of Bordeaux’s best wines, it is arguably the region’s greatest success story of the last century.

Lynch Bages remains relatively affordable on a retail level, perhaps around 20% of the average first growth price. 2017 saw its release price at a very reasonable €76 per bottle (€96 at future price), €308 less than Mouton Rosthchild, yet the intense power of the wines are relatively comparable. While the first growths are no doubt spectacular wines, they are very expensive and often overpriced, offering slow (but reliable) returns for the investor. Lynch Bages, however, is a David to Mouton Rothschild's Goliath - equally able, but savvier and more complex. As with all Bordeaux wines, it is extremely popular in China, probably due to the estate's partnership with Cathay Pacific for its first class customers.

The estate was bought in 1934 by Jean-Charles Cazes, who set about planting the 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot blend. The Cazes family still own the vineyard and are eager to try new technology to up their product. 2015 saw the introduction of the Winegrid system, a monitoring system that keeps the wine’s alcohol level, sugar content, colour and ambient temperature regulated.

According to a recent survey by Liv-ex, Lynch Bages is the most searched for wine on the internet. Because of its low price, investment growth (and returns) are high. Liv-ex places the wine firmly in the second growth category or 14th in its Bordeaux wine rating. For information, the 1855 classification places it as 49th!