Castle Lynch Bages - Pauillac 2009

René Gabriel

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

Mittleres Granat, satt in der Mitte. Momentan gibt er sich ziemlich reduktiv, aber auch gleichzeitig geballt, die sehr reif erscheinende Frucht wirkt süss. Das Bouquet hat sehr fette Konturen und zeigt den generell verschwenderischen Jahrgangsreichtum. Im Gaumen ein extremes Konzentrat mit einer fast portigen Cabernetsüsse im extrem dichten Extrakt, trotzdem gibt es da auch frische Aromenpartien im Innern. Dass er sich so verschlossen zeigt ist ein gutes Omen und dokumentiert sein enormes Alterungspotential. Das wird der Nachfolger vom 2000er! 19/20 2018 – 2045

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byNeal Martinthe1/1/2013

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.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

93 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe7/31/2012

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. 93 (+?) points

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/29/2012

Performing even better from bottle than it did from barrel, this appears to be the finest Lynch Bages since the 2000, 1990 and 1989. According to the chateau, the 2009 has the highest level of polyphenols ever measured as well as high alcohol (nearly 13.5%). A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest largely Merlot with touches of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it is an expressive, voluptuously textured effort with unctuosity and powerful, juicy, succulent blackberry and black currant flavors, low acids, a layered, massive mouthfeel, but no sense of heaviness or fatigue. This exquisite Lynch Bages should drink well for 30+ years.

Jamessuckling.com

97 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2012

Wow. Intense aromas of blackberries, currants and blueberries, follow through to a full body, with wonderful fruit and ultra-fine tannins. Fabulous Lynch. One of the top buys of the vintage. Best since 1989. I think that 2010 is probably better. Try in 2020.

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

byJames Molesworththe1/11/2012

Tight and backward, this has dense, almost chewy layers of fig, currant and plum cake behind a very solid wall of cedar, roasted vanilla and charcoal notes. There's serious grip on the finish, with an iron edge that won't quit. Best from 2015 through 2035.-J.M

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/31/2011

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. Drink 2016-2056 (94-96+ points)

Le Figaro

93-95 / 100

byBernard Burtschythe6/30/2010

Robe très sombre. Nez superbe, cuir et épices. En bouche, dense, beau milieu de bouche impressionnant, tannique, du coffre.

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2010

13.5% alcohol. 76 CS, 18M, 4CF, 2PV 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.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90-93 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2010

(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.

La Revue du Vin de France

18-19 / 20

the5/31/2010

Synthèse du 1989 et du 2005, le 2009 dépassera ces deux grands millésimes par son raffinement et sa précision. Les conditions du millésime ont parfaitement convenu au château et la forte proportion de cabernet sauvignon (76%) lui a permis de conserver beaucoup d'élégance. Lynch Bages 2009 est d'une immense distinction, avec une définition spectaculaire. Le coeur de bouche regorge d'un fruit généreux et croquant, tandis que la finale s'étire longuement.

Le Point

18 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/6/2010

Fruits noirs, sous-bois, cerise, épices, bouche tendre, en attaque, épicé ensuite, serré, très frais, bel équilibre long, tendu, frais. "Le poids des baies était déjà de 15% inférieur à une année normale, c'était pas la peine d'aller chercher une concentration supérieure." Très fin, élégant. O=2017 G=25 ans

Falstaff

92-94 / 100

byPeter Moserthe4/30/2010

Floral unterlegter Cassisanklang, feine ätherische Nuancen, Orangenzesten, mineralisch. Knackig und sehr frisch wirkend, rotbeerige Frucht, gut eingebundene Tannine, Cassis und Brombeeren, feine Röstaromen, gutes Potenzial.

TAST

17,5 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2010

Un échantillon un peu fatigué, pas vraiment en place, mais les autres montrent la vraie dimension du cru avec de splendides arômes de cèdre et une enveloppe majestueuse. Il faut encore attendre quelques mois pour que sa puissance s’harmonise.

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2010

Tasted at the château and UGC. 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. Tasted March 2010.

Wine Enthusiast

95-97 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/30/2010

Concentrated and dense, the fruit here is powered by blackberry and cranberry tannins, as well as by the spicy wood. The wine is solid and firm, obviously powerful.

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/30/2010

76 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 % Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot. Ertrag: 54 hl/ha. Sattes Purpur-Granat. Frisches, leicht minziges Brombeer- und Cassisbouquet, elegant, direkt und schon jetzt mit erstaunlicher Aromenintensität. Im Gaumen supersaftig, ausgeglichen, elegant wie selten, finessenreich, legt im Gaumen zu und die Tanninreserven finden genügend fettes Fleisch. Ein Power-Lynch-Bages, der stilistisch sowohl beim bombigen 2000er als auch beim dichter wirkenden 2005er anknüpfen kann. 2016–2028

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/28/2010

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. (Tasted three times.) Drink 2010-2050. (94-96+) points

Periodic Review of Wine

95-97 / 100

byAlan Duranthe4/28/2010

The most expansive and concentrated Lynch Bages yet tasted. It accelerates with terrific extract and flavor fullness. The vintage boasts a deeply-rimmed, opaque purple color along with ink, crushed-lead dust, blueberry liqueur, crème de cassis, sweet cherries, and notions of raw beef scents. This wine grips the mouth with such concentration, a full-body, and a mass of fruit. Additionally, there is silky tannin and a long finish. I can't get enought of this stunning Pauillac! Maturity period 2015-2037

Anthony Rose

94-96 / 100

byAnthony Rosethe4/26/2010

Fine youthful ruby colour, lovely nose, spicy, floral and intensely aromatic, lovely vibrantly juicy dark red fruits quality, mulberry and cherry here with a seamless fruitiness and deceptive concentration that looks destined to deliver much enjoyment with its very fine-boned tannins and vivid acidity balancing the whole enterprise.

Wine Spectator

96-99 / 100

the4/9/2010

The nose shows amazing aromas of mint, spices and currant, with underlying licorice and tar. Full-bodied, with amazing fruit and a long, long finish. Powerful. Blockbuster, but balanced. So structured. Lynch has not made a wine like this since perhaps 1989 or 1982. Better than Wine of the Year 1985 Lynch.

Decanter Magazine

18 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/9/2010

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.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/7/2010

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. Drink 2016-2028