CHÂTEAU LYNCH BAGES

It is quite light on the nose but very fragrant. The oak has married well with the mainly black fruits. The tannins are supple and rounded supporting fleshy blackcurrant and sloe, towards the back dark cherry pushes through giving a fresher feel on the finish. 2011-22 Rating: 92 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (Dec 2013)

(84% cabernet sauvignon, 9% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot; 3.73 pH; 66 IPT; 13% alcohol): Fully saturated inky ruby. Captivating nose offers redcurrant, black cherry, tar, tobacco, graphite and cedar aromas. Sweet, lush and ripe, with pure blackberry, cocoa and coffee flavors accented by a hint of shoe polish. Very good balance and sound acidity keeps this light on its feet. Finishes a bit warm and simple, with average length but good texture for the vintage. An excellent example of how good some of the 2004 Bordeaux can be: this would make an excellent wine-by-the-glass choice in a restaurant, or could be enjoyed now and over the next few years while your 2005s and 2006s mature in the cellar. Rating: 89 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (Jan 2012)

Sweet smoke, cigar-box, lifted mocha, vibrant red and black fruit aroma. Good depth, length and elegance. juicy and harmonious, forward but no rush to drink. Decanter June 2011 Medoc Panel Tasting. 16.5 points Rating: **** Decanter Magazine (May 2011)

Attractive cassis aromas jump from the glass of this dark ruby/purple-tinged 2004. While elegant, medium-bodied, soft, and broad in the mouth, it is slightly superficial, without the broodingly deep, backward, muscular personality of this estate's wines prior to 2001. Given its flavor profile and softness, the 2004 will have wide consumer appeal if drunk over the next 10-14 years. Rating: 89 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Jul 2008)

Red-ruby. Aromas of redcurrant, tobacco, coffee, mocha and leather. Supple on the palate but conveys an impression of less consistent ripeness than the young 2006, combining sweet plum, coffee and mocha flavors with slightly green notes of herbs and licorice. In a drier style, but the tannins are nicely ripe and in balance with the wine. Rating: 89 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (May 2007)

Sweet nose lacking a bit of zest, a bit stale on the nose, though relatively fleshy on the palate. An easy drink without an excess of tannin. Needs just a bit more zip. Quite stodgy. No hint of the spiciness that is characteristic of the property. Drink 2013-18 Rating: 16 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2005)

A good wine for the vintage, with berry and currant character and hints of chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a medium finish. Rating: 89-91 James Suckling, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2005)