Lynch Bages

Tasting Notes:
I have long been an admirer of this estate (having purchased their 1982, 1989, 1990, 1996, and 2000), but the 2005 is not one of their most profound efforts. While certainly outstanding, Lynch Bages appears to have lightened its style dramatically over the last 4-5 years. Sweet black currant fruit intermixed with cedar, dried Provencal herbs, licorice, olives, and earthy notes lead to a sexy, medium-bodied, surprisingly elegant, lighter-styled wine. It may put on more weight with additional age, but at present it is a soft, forward, easy-going Pauillac. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 91
Drinking Period: 2010-2025

Tasting Notes:
I have long been an admirer of this estate (having purchased their 1982, 1989, 1990, 1996, and 2000), but the 2005 is not one of their most profound efforts. While certainly outstanding, Lynch Bages appears to have lightened its style dramatically over the last 4-5 years. Sweet black currant fruit intermixed with cedar, dried Provencal herbs, licorice, olives, and earthy notes lead to a sexy, medium-bodied, surprisingly elegant, lighter-styled wine. It may put on more weight with additional age, but at present it is a soft, forward, easy-going Pauillac. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 91
Drinking Period: 2010-2025

Tasting Notes:
This is a beautiful wine with an evolved personality and low acidity. The wine exhibits abundant quantities of earthy, smoke and tobacco-tinged, black currant fruit, rich, concentrated, medium to full-bodied flavors, and moderate tannin in the long finish. It is successful, but nowhere near full maturity. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 91
Drinking Period: 2005-2020

Tasting Notes:
This is a beautiful wine with an evolved personality and low acidity. The wine exhibits abundant quantities of earthy, smoke and tobacco-tinged, black currant fruit, rich, concentrated, medium to full-bodied flavors, and moderate tannin in the long finish. It is successful, but nowhere near full maturity. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 91
Drinking Period: 2005-2020

Tasting Notes:
This wine has provided terrific drinking since it was bottled. It may turn out to be a vintage such as 1982, which never shut down. The dark plum/purple color reveals some lightening at the edge. A big, sweet, plum, licorice, beef blood, and jammy cassis-scented bouquet with smoked herbs and new wood in the background soars from the glass. Enjoyable and accessible, this low acid, concentrated, velvety-textured wine continues to offer sumptuous drinking. It is one of my favorite Lynch Bages vintages to drink now, although it will be even more stunning in 10-15 years. Wine Advocate # 129 Jun 2000
Parker Points: 94
Drinking Period: now-2020

Tasting Notes:
Consistently backward and dense, with enormous potential, this admirable wine will not be ready for prime time drinking for another 5-7 years. The color is not quite as opaque as the 1990's, but reveals more purple and no lightening at the edge. Hugely concentrated flavors have just begun to offer up a nose of cedar and creme de cassis. Powerful and muscular, with high tannin and superb concentration, this is Lynch Bages at its biggest and most beastly. However, everything is in balance for a stunning evolution. Robert Parker Wine Advocate #129 (Jun 2000).
Parker Points: 95
Drinking Period: 2004-2030

Tasting Notes:
Consistently backward and dense, with enormous potential, this admirable wine will not be ready for prime time drinking for another 5-7 years. The color is not quite as opaque as the 1990's, but reveals more purple and no lightening at the edge. Hugely concentrated flavors have just begun to offer up a nose of cedar and creme de cassis. Powerful and muscular, with high tannin and superb concentration, this is Lynch Bages at its biggest and most beastly. However, everything is in balance for a stunning evolution. Robert Parker Wine Advocate #129 (Jun 2000).
Parker Points: 95
Drinking Period: 2004-2030

Tasting Notes:
The 1985 has been totally disarming, seductive, and sexy since birth. Its corpulence, medium to full-bodied personality, low acidity, attractive silkiness, and copious quantities of herb-tinged cassis fruit have always made this wine a winner. It is beginning to display a few signs that it is at its peak of maturity and will not get any better. In fact, it might be best consumed over the next 5-10 years. As it sat in the glass, the 1985 faded more than any other vintage, but its immense up-front pleasure cannot be denied. This is a wine to decant right before serving, and not to linger over. It is a beautiful, elegant style of Lynch Bages. It is sure to please both connoisseurs and neophytes. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 92
Drinking Period: 2000-2010

Tasting Notes:
The 1985 has been totally disarming, seductive, and sexy since birth. Its corpulence, medium to full-bodied personality, low acidity, attractive silkiness, and copious quantities of herb-tinged cassis fruit have always made this wine a winner. It is beginning to display a few signs that it is at its peak of maturity and will not get any better. In fact, it might be best consumed over the next 5-10 years. As it sat in the glass, the 1985 faded more than any other vintage, but its immense up-front pleasure cannot be denied. This is a wine to decant right before serving, and not to linger over. It is a beautiful, elegant style of Lynch Bages. It is sure to please both connoisseurs and neophytes. Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 92
Drinking Period: 2000-2010