Lynch Bages 2005

The Château Lynch Bages 2005 has an enthralling graphite and cedar scented bouquet, like a young cousin of the Grand Puy Lacoste. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, one of the most feminine and elegant Lynch Bages in recent years with a lightness of touch on the finish. That is not to say it lacks fruit intensity, but the balance is so assured that is just seems to glide over the mouth. Stylish, assured and meticulous winemaking here. Drink 2019 - 2045

As for the 2005 Lynch-Bages, it is a sexy, surprisingly soft and accessible style of wine, with a deep ruby/purple color, loads of crème de cassis, cedar wood and forest floor notes, medium to full body, ripe tannin and a long, fleshy finish. Drink it over the next 15+ years. Drink 2015-2030.

As one might suspect, the dense purple-hued 2005 is still tannic, firm and young, with concentrated blackberry and cassis fruit, beautiful ripeness, a full-bodied mouthfeel and undeniable youthfulness. Tasting like a 2-3 year old wine rather one that has passed its sixth birthday, it is potentially one of the longest lived Lynch Bages since the remarkable 1989 and 2000. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2030+

This outstanding effort is slightly lighter, more streamlined and delicate than followers of Lynch Bages have come to expect after such great vintages as 1982, 1989, 1990, 1996, and 2000. A deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a classic Medoc nose of tapenade, roasted herbs, licorice, cedar, black currants, and damp earth. Medium-bodied with moderate tannin, sweet fruit, and surprising softness as well as forwardness for a 2005 northern Medoc, it can be drunk now and over the next 20+ years.

A meaty and decadent Lynch with very ripe currant aromas on the nose. Full body, velvety-textured tannins and a powerful finish. It shows so much structure and fruit yet remains polished and focused. Lovely now to drink but better in 2017.

Currant, blackberry, cherry and hints of licorice. Full-bodied, with silky and refined tannins and a fresh finish. This is racy and pretty. Very refined. Very structured.

Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Nice, attractive, sweet violet-cachou aroma – a Pauillac 2005 with some real interest! Juicy and glamorous. Very transparent.
Drink 2016-2040

Mid crimson. Perfumed, well balanced, no hint of 2005 density on the nose… Much more slimline than I would have expected. Racy and lifted rather than dense and thick. There are tannins underneath but the overall impression is of sophistication rather than concentration. 13%
Drink 2020-2038

Quite open and developed on the nose. Easy and round and very easy to appreciate. Already quite evolved with fine tannins on the finish. Even a hit of something reminiscent of whisky on the finish! Not the densest but pleasing

Intense crimson. Lightly fragrant. Soft, spicy, slightly tarry start and then iron hand in that appealing velvet glove. Very nicely done wine but I could do with just slightly more freshness. Competent certainly... A little bit of a fade on the finish. When I tasted it non-blind next to its second wine Haut Bages Averous, I was surprised not to see a greater difference in quality between them. It is certainly denser and drier - in fact the tannins are currently pretty inky on the finish. Drink 2016-26

Bright ruby-red. Expressive, classic aromas of currant, mocha, smoke and camphor. Rich, broad and ripe but impressively young, offering flavors of dark berries, chocolate, spices and smoke enlivened by firm acidity. This coats the palate nicely on the long finish, with tannins that are riper and sweeter than those of the 2006.

Black-red, quite massive, meaty wine, lots of extraction of floral, violetty fruit, very rich, voluptuous, marvellously ripe tannins, very successful. Drink 2010-35.

There is depth here to the fruit, and hidden power too. A complete wine with splendid middle palate, dense and packed. And a long, ripe finish. Drink from 2017. Awarded 5 stars.