Chateau Lynch Bages 2006

18 WEINWISSER: "Samtenes, fein opulentes Bouquet, schwarze Beeren, Mocca, Röstaromen. Verschlossener, dichter, klassischer Gaumen mit gutem Tannin, feiner Frucht, elegantger Struktur, kräftiger, dichter Aromatik, würziger Abgang. 18/20 2016 - 2040" 94 DECANTER: "Slowly and confidently inching towards its drinking window, but needs another three to five years before it gets there. Deep plush fruit with tight liquorice root and menthol edging against rich blackberry coulis. Beautiful subtle tension and complexity on display. Really a huge amount that uncurls slowly in the glass. Very seductive." 94 WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Year after year, Lynch-Bages is able to produce sumptuous wines, typically rich, powerful and structured. This is solid, the blackberry ripe fruit enveloping this structure with a velvet sheen. This is developing into one of the successes of the vintage." 93 THE WINEADVOCATE: "Tasted at Bordeaux Index´s annual 10-Year On tasting in London. 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. Tasted January 2016." 92 WINESPECTATOR: "Blackberry, licorice and mint aromas lead to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and lots of blackberry and mineral fruit character. Shows outstanding concentration and balance. Best after 2014." 92 JAMES SUCKLING: "Very focused and pretty now, with currants, minerals and hints of dried flowers. Full body with super-integrated tannins and a long, long finish. Beautiful. Drink or hold." 92 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Forest floor, mushroom, cassis, cedar wood and cigar box aromas typic of Pauillac are easy to find. The wine is developing on the right path, with plenty of spicy, fresh, peppery, red fruits, ripe tannins and crisp, juicy cassis in the finish. That being said, the wine still needs more time in the cellar. Give it another 5-8 years of rest before it really unveils its charms." 91+ ANTONIO GALLONI: "(a blend of 79% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot; 3.54 pH; 6.03 g/l total acidity; 81 IPT; 13.2% alcohol): Fully saturated bright ruby. Currently in a slightly dumb phase and aromatically compressed on the nose, revealing cool blackberry and cassis aromas with extended aeration, complicated by notes of cola, flowers, red cherry and sweet spices. Then soft, round and ripe in the mouth, with persistent flavors of black cherry, cassis and cinnamon. A very serious wine offering impressive definition and very good balance, turning almost austere at the back, but with a pretty, pristine quality to its repeating floral and black fruit notes. Finishes with smooth, building tannins: don´t even think of opening this beauty for another eight to ten years. One of the best vintage for Lynch-Bages in recent memory."