Chateau Lynch Bages 2008

WEINWISSER: "Sattes, dunkles Granat mit lila Schimmer. Kompaktes, tiefes Bouquet, Cassis und Brombeeren sowie dunkle Holznoten, reifer Cabernet Sauvignon. Im Gaumen fest und fleischig, mit süssen, dicht gegliederten Tanninen, im Finale dann kräftig und mit Muskeln sowie sandigem Finale. Ein Kraftakt, aber ein klassischer."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2008 Lynch Bages is brilliant stuff as well as a textbook Pauillac. Revealing a still youthful ruby/purple color as well as impressive notes of graphite, cedar pencil, cassis, tobacco, and obvious minerality, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, polished tannins, and a concentrated, layered texture. Jean-Charles Cazes described the vintage as late and great for Cabernet Sauvignon, and this beauty has classic Cabernet flair in spades. Powerful yet also fresh and elegant, it benefits from a decant and will continue drinking beautifully for another 20-30 years."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "In the powerful style of Lynch-Bages, although perhaps less exuberant than usual. Instead the concentration comes from juicy fruit, which gives it the a softer quality. Even so, it still has solid tannins, dense texture and always the promise of good aging."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A sensational effort for the vintage, this textured, opulent, superb Lynch Bages is already strutting its stuff and should easily last for 20 years. Medium to full-bodied with an opaque dense purple color, notes of flowers and cassis, a layered texture that builds incrementally in the mouth and tremendous purity and depth, it can be drunk now or cellared for two decades or more. Bravo!"

JAMES SUCKLING: "Lots of currant and lemon rind undertones. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Tight and linear but pretty and bright. Just opening now. Drink or hold."

DECANTER: "More concentrated and tannic than many of the other Pauillacs in this vintage, with powerful cassis fruits, notes of liquorice and still-chewy tannins, with cigar box and menthol starting to tunnel though. It could do with another few years, and it's built to go the decades. Accomplished and enjoyable."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Crunchy red fruits, spice box, leaf, tobacco, cassis, peppery herbs and cranberry crowd the entrance here. There is weight, freshness and a bite to the crisp red fruits. Very classic in style, this could use another 7-9 years in the bottle before it shows its best."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Ripe blackcurrant fruit, clove and something almost salty on the palate. Softening tannic feel, moderate acidity, medium body. Conforms to the bordeaux standard."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Very solid, with a super beam of dark currant, tobacco and iron pushed by charcoal, melted fig and cocoa notes. There's a nicely rounded feel, but also plenty of grip in reserve. Best from 2013 through 2018. 30,500 cases made."