| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This classic, powerful, firm Lynch Bages may be as concentrated (if not more so) than the 2005. It possesses a dense purple-tinged color, tell-tale cassis notes interwoven with hints of roast beef, savory herbs, spice box and subtle oak, good acidity and ripe tannin. The result is a full-bodied, fleshy Pauillac that will benefit from another 3-4 years of cellaring. It is capable of lasting 20-25 more years. Drink 2014-2039.
The 2006 Château Lynch Bages has another quite vivacious bouquet with lively black cherries, kirsch and wild mint aromas that do not hold back. I love the purity here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine supple tannin, well-judged acidity, a gentle grip in the mouth, and plenty of lightly spiced and surprisingly intense fruit on the bravura finish. The Cazes family oversaw a very sophisticated Lynch-Bages in this vintage that may well surpass many peoples' expectations.
Shows very good concentration of currant and berry fruit. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, fruity finish. Solid core of everything.
A touch subdued on the aromatics, still holding back even at 16 years old. As it opens it majors on earthy, rustic fruits, undergrowth, tobacco, tar, a big tannic body that is reflective of a vintage that was more complicated than the 2005, but that offered wines with frame and long ageability. As it opens, waves of liqourice root and rose petal appear. First vintage where Jean-Charles Cazes replaced his father Jean-Michel as director of the estate, and the first for Nicolas Labenne as technical director. 70% new oak.
Deep crimson. Meaty, appetising nose. Very beguiling. Fresh, not to say even slightly underripe palate. But a really nice wine for sentimentalists. Not especially complex. Green on the finish. Drink 2012-2025.Date tasted 7th Nov 08.
Deep ruby-red. Deeply pitched aromas of inky cassis, licorice, mocha and smoky, nutty oak. Fairly large-scaled and layered but dominated by its acid/tannin spine in the early going, displaying firm, coolish flavors of black plum, licorice and graphite. The lingering finish features substantial but ripe tannins. Give this at least a few years of cellaring before pulling the cork.
1988 or 1995-ish in style, rather than 1996, which seems to be the vintage several 2006s recall, this dense purple-colored wine displays sweet notes of creme de cassis, tobacco leaf, licorice, and some cedar and graphite. The wine has plenty of structure a la 1995 and a backward, muscular personality, but beautiful fruit on the attack and alluring purity and a nicely textured mouthfeel. The finish suggests cellaring for 3-5 years and drinking over the following two decades.
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.
Tasted blind at Southwold ’06 Bordeaux tasting. I have always felt that the Lynch Bages ’06 was one of the real treasures of the vintage and this blind tasting verifies that belief. It is ripe and very pure on the backward nose with subtle touches of tobacco and cigar box. Refined and understated. The palate is full-bodied, very well balanced, toasty new oak but there is sufficient ripe black tarry fruit to support it. Great weight and persistency on the structured, dense, masculine, edgy finish. Excellent. Returning after 15 minutes I find this so elegant and brimming with tension. Do not under-estimate this Lynch.
Tasted at the château and at the UGC (the latter I felt a little tired.) The nose is very closed with cedar, a touch of sous-bois and black tea. Focused with good definition. The palate is pure and cedar-driven with firm grip. Blueberry, a touch of graphite, good nervosity with a long, minerally finish. A persistency Lynch Bages, much more focus than in previous vintages. A commendable debut for Jean-Charles Cazes. Tasted April 2007.
Blackish crimson with a purple rim. Superripe black fruit and warm mocha aromas though not especially intense and overall a bit inky. Dense yet fresh and aromatic on the mid palate and a long dry finish.
Bright ruby-red. Very ripe aromas of currant and tobacco, with a smoky nuance. Then quite tightly wound, even youthfully austere, in the mouth, with a strong mineral quality showing today, and a flavor of licorice pastille on the aftertaste. This rather broad-shouldered wine should be softened a bit by the racking but appears to be built for the long haul.
