Lynch Bages - Pauillac 1995

Vinous

91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe8/2/2023

The 1995 Lynch-Bages has a well-defined bouquet with intense blackberry, undergrowth and tobacco scents. Bold and lifted, this is a nose that wants to make an impression. The palate has more concentration and tannic backbone than others in this era. Dark berry fruit mixes with cola and black pepper, and tobacco comes through toward the finish with an austere, grippy finish. This would benefit from decanting for a couple of hours and is a bit of a bruiser, though not without charm. Tasted blind at the Lynch Bages vertical at the château.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/31/2011

A dense ruby/purple hue is accompanied by reticent, restrained aromatics suggesting earth, herbs and subtle fruit. The wine hits the palate with a brutal, tannic overlay, but behind that are impressive levels of black and red fruits. As is the case with many 1995s, the wine’s structural components still dominate, which makes one wonder if these cuvees will ever shed enough tannin to be charming and enjoyable to drink. Certainly depth, weight and richness are all present, but the tannins remain elevated and somewhat foreboding.(89+ points)

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2000

This is a beautiful wine with an evolved personality and low acidity. The wine exhibits abundant quantities of earthy, smoke and tobacco-tinged, black currant fruit, rich, concentrated, medium to full-bodied flavors, and moderate tannin in the long finish. It is successful, but nowhere near full maturity. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1998

On the three occasions I tasted the 1995 out of bottle it came across in an elegant, restrained, 1985/1953 Lynch Bages style. While attractive and soft, with obvious tannin in the background, the 1995 is not made in the blockbuster style of the 1996, 1990, 1989, or 1986. Deep ruby-colored, with an evolved nose of sweet, smoky, earthy, black currant fruit, this fleshy, round, seductive, fat and fruity Lynch Bages should drink well young, yet age for two decades. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/31/1998

Much better than I ever remember. Complex aromas of currants, berries and mint. Full-bodied, very tannic, but velvety and caressing. Getting better all the time. Best after 2002.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1997

This wine has filled out since I tasted it last spring. In addition to its opaque purple color, it exhibits earthy, blackcurrant fruit, attractive cedary, smoky notes, and a dense, fat mid-palate with low acidity, and plenty of extract, glycerin, and sweet tannin. The 1995 is not quite as outstanding as the massive, backward 1989 or luscious, corpulent 1990, but it looks to be a modern day version of the delicious, hedonistic 1985. Anticipated maturity: 1999-2017.

Wine Advocate

89-90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1996

The 1995 is an attractive wine, but it is not cut from the blockbuster mold of such vintages as 1986, 1989, and 1990. At this stage, I am not sure whether it will even equal the underrated 1988. The wine exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color, and a sweet nose of damp earth and jammy black fruits intermixed with tobacco and cedar notes. Medium-bodied, with excellent to outstanding density and sweetness, high tannin, and low acidity, it falls just short of being exceptional. Despite the low acidity, the wine's high tannin suggests it should be cellared for 4-5 years after bottling. Look for it to evolve for 15-18 years.