Smoky pineapple, orange pith and fennel. Creamy on the palate and broad with a savoury, bitter twist. It's ripe, bouncy and persistent - a lot more fun than I'd have expected
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Ripe Merlot then! Plush, rich and chocolatey, violets, and a pure green pepper note. Some ripe raspberry and darker plum. Tannins are generous, encapsulated by the density of the fruit. The alcohol feels a bit spiky and volatile - you'd guess more than the 14.5% on the label, finish is slightly abrupt. Quite loveable in a smack you round the face kind of way, but a bit much right now and the alcohol heat throws it off slightly
Very much alive and belies its 50 years. Meaty, gamey, a little olive brine and of course dusty, woody age to the fore. Quite sweet and pure on the palate, energetic and tannins nicely resolved. A real treat.
Clean, pulpy, aromatic and pure. Exuberant on the nose, it's ripe, perfumed and actually kind of fun. Well-behaved on the palate: blue fruits, fine but present tannins, high acidity and medium body. This has decades to go still
At first I found this too straight laced and unyielding. But it really rewards persistence: buttoned up at first but it has inner depths and a cool complexity. Introvert but it rewards leaning in. There's a quiet richness and an inner power that's still unfurling. The delineation is quite special - blackcurrant, herbal notes, a touch of tertiary development, classy oak integration. The tannins still need time, the whole wine still needs time. Nowhere near its peak. This one really stayed with me - loved it
This probably suffered in comparison to some really special wines on the night, and the '05 vintage isn't really to my taste - but I found this quite rich, pulpy and slightly simple. Tasty yes but I'm looking for complexity and interest from a wine of this calibre
Great counterpoint to the 2001 vintage of the same wine - this is fruitier, more open, softer and more floral. Less distinctive and refined- and frankly less interesting.
Friendly, open, sweet and savoury fruit on the nose, vanilla present, some smoke and leather. Tastes young, fruit-forward on the palate, broad and grippy. Really incredibly young for a 20+ year wine
Smoky savoury cured meats, antique wood and boot polish. Resolved on the palate, smooth and balanced. Savoury with tannins and acid giving this life: long finish
Rubber, saffron on the nose. Deep and zesty. Balance is a bit off: very sweet, rich and palate-coating without the requisite acidity to provide freshness. Not quite cloying but not far off. Burnt sugar finish is quite satisfying.
2010 Château Lynch-Bages Blanc de Lynch-Bages 91 Points
France, Bordeaux
Smoky pineapple, orange pith and fennel. Creamy on the palate and broad with a savoury, bitter twist. It's ripe, bouncy and persistent - a lot more fun than I'd have expected
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