2009 Chateau Lynch Bages 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 1x750ml

Robert Parker 96

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Lynch Bages ’09 is a triumph from Jean-Charles Chevalier and his team, putting in a superb performance under tough blind conditions (to the point where I speculated that it could be Mouton!) It has a wonderful controlled and precise on the understated nose – but there is a brooding presence here – the sense of a class act that does not want to be disturbed. Graphite, blackberry and crushed stone unfold with every passing moment. The palate is medium-bodied with a citrus fresh entry. There is very good weight here, primal but supremely well balanced with a gradual build towards the insistent minty finish. Gorgeous. Tasted January 2013. [Neal Martin, 01/01/2013]

Vinous 93+

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. [Stephen Tanzer, 01/07/2012]