CHÂTEAU LYNCH BAGES

Fairly deep color. Pleasing floral bouquet recalls wildflower, black plum, pomegranate, leather, smokeand honey. Sweet on entry, with richness and (relatively) medium body. The tannins kick in, and it is clear that these bottles were opened too young. This is a reserved, elegant, well-balanced wine that needs time to settle in. The acidity is excellent. Finishes with a strong note of slightly bitter Arabica coffee grounds. Will be gorgeous when fully mature. Rating: 92 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (May 2014)

Bright ruby-red. Very pure, perfumed aromas of blackberry and licorice. Dense, generous and deep if youthfully tightly wound, with sweet black fruit flavors nicely framed by sound acidity. Finishes with serious tannic clout and complex saline and peppery notes. An extremely backward and very impressive Lynch Bages for serious cellaring. Rating: 93 Stephen Tanzer, www.vinousmedia.com (Jul 2012)

Deeply coloured, aromatic and impressive, this is a powerful wine, with lots of extraction, firm tannins and plenty of new oak. The wine finishes a little dry (which is why it doesn’t get 94 points or more), but it has masses of fruit, so I expect it to come together in barrel and bottle. 15+ years. Rating: 93 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (May 2010)

(a blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 18% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot; 13.4% alcohol; pH 3.64; 93 IPT) Inky purple. Sexy, forward aromas of red cherry, cassis, minerals and violet; very Pauillac. Then rich and lush, with impressive volume to its ripe, creamy strawberry, cedar and chocolate flavors. As full and sweet as this is, it can seem almost chunky at first, but thanks to harmonious acids, which nicely extend the flavors on the back, it does not leave any impression of excess weight. In fact, this finishes rather easygoing, even though serious tannins are present to provide adequate backbone and aging potential. A classic example of an '09 Bordeaux that will be ready to drink far sooner than usual but should also hold up well for another 20 years after that. Rating: 90-93 Ian d'Agata, TerroirSense (May 2010)

The highest levels of polyphenols ever measured at Lynch Bages (20% higher than any prior vintage) are found in the 2009, which achieved 13.4% natural alcohol, and a normal pH of 3.64. Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it is the greatest Lynch Bages since the outstanding duo of 1989 and 1990. The black/purple-tinged 2009 exhibits a glorious perfume of graphite, black currants, and subtle smoke, powerful, thick, unctuously textured flavors, huge yet sweet tannins, fabulous purity, and a finish that lasts 40-45 seconds. Five to eight years of patience will be required, but this is a 30-40-year wine from this popular estate run by the affable and highly respected Cazes family. Rating: 94-96+ Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Apr 2010)

A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, raised in 70% new oak. Merlot was cropped from the 28th to 30th September and the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked from the 6th to the 12th October. The nose soars from the glass, pure blackberry, briary, pencil lead and a touch of tobacco. Very fine definition: reminiscent of the 2006 but with a little more horsepower. The palate is full-bodied with very well integrated new oak that really sings with the concentrated black fruit and does not disguise the minerality in this wine. Tons of freshness, that acidity really driving the wine to the finish and then the persistency is superb. Still very linear, with a strictness that is seductive. Rating: 94-96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2010)

A deep and glossy appearance, with a crimson-blue rim. Very dark fruit on the nose, dark berries, and forest fruits, all with a sweet and slightly gritty character. On the palate a very sweet depth of fruit to match, creamed forest berries, velvety tannins, with lots of grip and spice. The acidity takes a backseat here, and overall it seems very open and approachable now. All the same, very good. Rating: 16.5-17.5+ Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2010)

Dense crimson. Rich and spicy and lifted. Really rather flirtatious. Not heavy or dense but very nicely balanced without aggressive notes of rough tannin or greenness. 2016-2028 Rating: 17 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2010)

Dense purple red, concentrated Cabernet cassis plus rich spiciness, big volume on the palate, expressive elegance over the natural vigour, lifted and long. Drink 2015-30. Rating: ****18 www.decanter.com (Apr 2010)