Lynch Bages

Tasting Notes:
This may turn out to be the finest Lynch Bages made since the 2000. The vintages between 2000 and 2006 are certainly very good, but seemingly lighter-styled in addition to being more forward and soft. The seriously-endowed, dense ruby/purple-tinged 2006 reveals a classic nose of creme de cassis, roasted meats as well as herbs, licorice, and toasty oak. Fleshy, full-bodied, opulent, and well-endowed, it will be at its peak in 5-6 years, and should keep for 20 or more. Wine Advocate # 170 Apr 2007.
Parker Points: 91-93
Drinking Period: 2012-2027

Tasting Notes:
One of the most popular wines of Bordeaux seems to be going through a period where the style seems lighter, and there is less muscle and mass, but perhaps itÕs just a temporary transition. Certainly there has been no truly profound Lynch Bages since the 2000, preceded by the 1996, 1990, and 1989. Showing better than it did from cask with some toasty oak, moderate quantities of creme de cassis fruit, lower acidity, and a hint of cedar in an evolved style, the medium to full-bodied 2003 Lynch Bages does not lack for tannin and structure but finishes surprisingly short for a top vintage in the northern Medoc. It is very good, but falls short of outstanding. Wine Advocate # 164 Apr 2006
Parker Points: 89
Drinking Period: 2008-2020

Tasting Notes:
An utterly profound Lynch-Bages, this wine continues to remind me of a hypothetical blend of the 1990 and 1989. Interestingly, when I asked Jean-Michel Cazes to rank his top four vintages of Lynch-Bages, he ranked the 1989 first, followed by three vintages that he said were essentially equivalent in quality - 1990, 1996, and 2000. The 2000 Lynch-Bages exhibits a dense purple color, loads of glycerin and extract, big, muscular, sweet creme de cassis notes, with hints of new saddle leather, earth, and tobacco leaf. The 2000 is forceful yet plush, with a thick, juicy, succulent mid-palate, ripe tannin, and a long, layered finish. I know it will be tempting to pull corks on this wine in its youth, but it really will not hit its stride for 7-10 years and will last for at least 25. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025. The Wine Advocate, #146 Apr-03.
Parker Points: 95
Drinking Period: 2008-2025

Tasting Notes:
This dense ruby/purple-colored 1999 is a modern day clone of this estate's wonderful 1962. The 1999 reveals forward, open-knit notes of creme de cassis and earth. It is fleshy, medium to full-bodied, and succulent, with supple tannin, excellent balance, as well as a long, pure, ripe finish. This seductive effort will drink well for 12-15 years, possibly longer.Wine Advocate # 140 Apr 2002
Parker Points: 90
Drinking Period: 2002-2017

Tasting Notes:
One of the big surprises is how delicious this wine has turned out. It is a beautiful, classic claret. Dark ruby-colored with purple hues, it reveals aromas of dried herbs, smoke, leather, grilled meats, and copious black cherry and currant fruit. Medium-bodied, powerful, rich, and surprisingly evolved, this vintage has hit its plateau of maturity, where it should remain for another 10-12 years. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 92
Drinking Period: 2000-2012

Tasting Notes:
One of the big surprises is how delicious this wine has turned out. It is a beautiful, classic claret. Dark ruby-colored with purple hues, it reveals aromas of dried herbs, smoke, leather, grilled meats, and copious black cherry and currant fruit. Medium-bodied, powerful, rich, and surprisingly evolved, this vintage has hit its plateau of maturity, where it should remain for another 10-12 years. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 92
Drinking Period: 2000-2012

Tasting Notes:
The muddled ruby color reveals significant orange at the edge. The nose exhibits aromas of stale vegetables, tea, and faded and/or diluted curranty fruit. Light, hollow, and in decline, this wine was made during an uneven period for this estate. Last tasted 6/93. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 71
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes:
Still a spectacular wine, the 1961 defies mortality. It has been at its peak for nearly 15 years, yet it shows no signs of losing its fruit and drying out. The color is a dark garnet with orange/amber at the edge. The profound bouquet has the magnetic allure that leaves great Bordeaux unmatched for complexity. Sweet notes of dried fruits, herbs, tobacco, smoke, and roasted meats are followed by an opulently-textured, thick, nearly viscous wine with high glycerin, ripe, jammy fruit, and an intoxicating combination of glycerin, extract, and suppleness. The wine holds in the glass without cracking up, and has a good 40-45 second finish. There is no telling how much longer this 1961 will retain its magic, but it is still a classic. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 95
Drinking Period: 2000-2010