Chateau Lynch Bages 2005

Weinwisser: "Sehr dunkles Granat, satt in der Mitte, am Rand Rubin. Wuchtiges, ja fast bombiges Cabernet-Bouquet, ein Hauch von Dörrfrüchten, Amarenakirschen und dunklen Röstnoten, viel Edelholznoten, ein Hauch Pralinen darin, zu Kopf steigend, somit sehr intensiv. Im Gaumen typisch Pauillac, cremig, reich und mit fetten Tanninen bestückt, von der Erotik her mit einem grossen Mouton zu vergleichen, von der Qualität her sicherlich einer der besten und auch feinsten Lynch-Bages, extrem lange nachklingend. In fünf Jahren ein Bordeaux für grosse Gläser!"

Jane Anson: "Dark rich ruby, smoked campfire and grilled cedar aromatics, a brilliant Pauillac that is still full of tannic archicture and frame. I had this out of half bottle last year and it was tasting more approachable than this, no doubt because the bottle size helped things to evolve. One of the few where I would suggest not drinking this yet, even the fruit feels muscular right now, and it needs another few years to translate this hidden power into the seductive, rip-roaring wine that is so clearly in there. 80% new oak, Daniel LLose winemaker. This was the last year that Jean-Michel Cazes was in charge before handing over to his son Jean-Charles."

James Suckling: "A meaty and decadent Lynch with very ripe currant aromas on the nose. Full body, velvety-textured tannins and a powerful finish. It shows so much structure and fruit yet remains polished and focused. Lovely now to drink but better in 2017."

Wine Enthusiast: "Classic Lynch-Bages with just a bit of extra power and richness. While the tannins are structured, it is the velvety fruit that rolls around the mouth that is the most dominant character. It is coming together into a wine that will be big and dense, but never over the top."

Wine Spectator: "Textbook, with mouthfilling and slightly gutsy black currant, fig and blackberry fruit flavors bound together by singed cedar, iron and tobacco notes. Features a tug of loam followed by a second wave of fruit through the finish. This is just starting to stretch out."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown: "The 2005 Lynch-Bages is composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-brick in color, it strides out of the glass with classic notes of warm cassis, baked black plums, and cedar chest, leading to suggestions of tapenade, dried Provence herbs, smoked meats, and the faintest waft of cigar box. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is youthful and taut, with a solid backbone of grainy tannins and lively line preserving the fruit beautifully, delivering a wine of great purity. The finish is long and fruity. Delicious now in this youthful flush, it has the backbone to cellar a further 20 years+."

Jancis Robinson: "Deep red colour. Full and ripe on the nose. Plush but fresh at the same time. Still youthful, although aromatically there’s a bit of evolution. Some sweetness to the fruit but balanced by the freshness. Big but refined tannins. Vigorous but balanced. Still plenty to play for. Lovely wine."

Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2005 Château Lynch-Bages is terrific, with a ripe, yet also surprisingly elegant profile in its medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, graphite, and leather. A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, it has ripe, nicely integrated tannins, good balance, and is already surprisingly accessible. I would drink bottles any time over the coming 10-15 years."

The Wine Cellar Insider: "Tight, firm, reserved, strict and tannic, the wine remains quite youthful at this stage. Clearly there is a wealth of ripe fruit here, but the tannins need at least a decade to soften before this is fun to drink."

The Wine Advocate: "As for the 2005 Lynch-Bages, it is a sexy, surprisingly soft and accessible style of wine, with a deep ruby/purple color, loads of crème de cassis, cedar wood and forest floor notes, medium to full body, ripe tannin and a long, fleshy finish. Drink it over the next 15+ years."