5/21/2021 - Albert Wong wrote:

NOSE
Intensity: pronounced
Grape juice, blackcurrant, red cherries, chocolate cherry cake, plum, strawberry jam, licorice

PALATE
Body: medium+
Acidity: medium+
Intensity: pronounced
Red fruits, cherries, dates, raisins, dried prunes, spicy, candy, licorice, a bit of cough syrup
The alcohol feels like 14.5%, even though it is only 13%

TEXTURE
Tannins: medium
Smooth, round

BALANCE
The alcohol feels a little high
But other than that, it was nice
Rounder than I expected it would be

COMPLEXITY
Mostly primary flavours
Only a tiny bit of secondary flavours
Around 50 minutes in, there was a big drop-off

FINISH
Length: medium
Alcohol, dates, a bit of mocha

CONCLUSION
Readiness: drink now
For this price, I thought this wine was great bang for the buck.
A fruit-forward wine, the flavours were really enjoyable. But just remember to drink it fast.

5/15/2021 - Albert Wong wrote:

NOSE
Intensity: medium+
Ham, almond, nuts, cured meat, bit of dark chocolate

PALATE
Body: medium+
Acidity: medium
Intensity: medium+
Nutty, tiny bit of vanilla, creamy, black fruit

TEXTURE
Tannins: medium+
Unfortunately, it was rough...really rough.

BALANCE
The tannins were astringent and harsh. Besides the tannins, everything else was ok.

COMPLEXITY
Really enjoyable primary and secondary flavours.

FINISH
Length: medium
A bit of a meaty/ham aftertaste

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now. A few years in the cellar may help soften the tannins.
Considering 2013 was a poor and very wet growing season, I was pleasantly surprised with the nose and palate. It was delicious. But unfortunately, the tannins took away from the overall experience.

5/15/2021 - Albert Wong wrote:

When I purchased this 2 weeks ago, it was in good shape. The fill was at mid-neck.

NOSE
Intensity: pronounced
Soil, forest floor, tar,

PALATE
Body: medium
Acidity: medium (a bit mouth-watering)
Intensity: medium+
Smokey, really strong cigar, tobacco, wet leaves, forest floor, tiny bit of red tea, tiny bit spicy, tiny bit of vanilla

TEXTURE
Tannins: medium- to medium
Smooth in general
Tannins got a bit thicker after 1 hour

BALANCE
Still solid at 32 years of age. Nothing outstanding.

COMPLEXITY
Not much change throughout. Only tertiary aromas remain.

FINISH
Length: medium
Cigar, spiciness, a bit bitter

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now. It is past its prime and with not many years left.
I was hoping there would be some meaty or leather scents and flavours present but couldn't find any. Felt this bottle is tired.
Drink it if you come across it. But don't go out of your way to get a bottle.

5/15/2021 - Albert Wong wrote:

This was bottle 5 of 6. One of my favourite white wines in the collection.

NOSE
Intensity: medium
Green apple, honey
After finishing a glass, I took a whiff and smelled apple pie.
On the nose, it already felt something was lacking compared to previous bottles.

PALATE
Body: medium
Acidity: high
Intensity: medium+
Green apple, lemon grass, some wheat, citrus

TEXTURE
It was smooth.
But this bottle was a bit thin
Less round compared to other bottles.

BALANCE
Acidity was sharp and mouth-watering. A bit uncomfortable compared previous bottles.

COMPLEXITY
Initially it was a bit sour. But the sourness died down after 20 minutes. Not much change after that.

FINISH
Length: medium
Slightly bitter finish, fresh apple, lemon grass.

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now...
Unfortunately this bottle was really subdued compared to the previous bottles we had. The other bottles were all amazing. But with such high expectations, this bottle was quite disappointing. I have one bottle left. I really hope the last bottle will be like the first few in the collection.
I didn't give this bottle a rating since it fell short of expectations from previous bottles. I also felt this bottle was not representative of what this wine should be.
I didn't give a rating for previous bottles here on CT. But they would have easily scored 92-93.

5/14/2021 - Albert Wong wrote:

NOSE
Intensity: medium+
Tar, licorice, dark fruits, cherries
Seems like it's subdued

PALATE
Body: medium (surprisingly)
Acidity: medium+
Intensity: medium+
Spicy, red fruits, hint of tobacco, some kind of bitterness, herbs, tiny bit of greens.
Feels cool in the mouth.
Alcohol level 14.5%. Overall feeling in the mouth matches this level.

TEXTURE
Tannins: medium+
Tannins are present, but it is comfortable and chewy.

BALANCE
Good. Nothing felt out of place. Even though the alcohol level is higher, it was quite comfortable.

COMPLEXITY
Rounder after an hour.
Not much change on the nose and palate.

FINISH
Length: medium
Tiny hint of vanilla, alcohol, tar.

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now. But a few years in the cellar will help improve this wine.
This was my first time drinking this label. It was not as bold, heavy and powerful as I had expected.
This is a really good wine for daily drinking.

4/5/2021 - Albert Wong wrote:

Decanted this wine for 2 hours before drinking. Had it over 2 hours.

NOSE
Intensity: medium+
Everything felt very closed.
Hint of cigar, tar, green pepper, black current, dark fruits. Tar smell was dominant.

PALATE
Body: medium+ to full
Acidity: medium+
Intensity: pronounced
Very closed.
Dark fruits, tar, can taste the alcohol, tropical fruit for a split second

TEXTURE
Tannins: high
Loads of tannins. Fortunately, it was smooth.

BALANCE
Acidity is mouth watering. Felt nice.
Loads of tannins, but was smooth.
Can taste some alcohol on the palate.

COMPLEXITY
Couldn't get much of the wine and not much change throughout the night. Probably it is in its sleeping state.
There was a bit of a drop-off by hour 4.

FINISH
Length: medium
I expected a bit longer finish
Tobacco mostly. A bit of mango aftertaste.

CONCLUSION
Readiness: The wine didn't open up after decanting for 2 hours and drinking it over 2 more hours. Seems like it is in it's sleeping phase, but is showing some promise. So keep it in your cellar for a few more years before opening it up.
But for this price, there are lots of choices out there. And definitely can find better vintages of wine on the same level as Lynch Bages at this price.

5/8/2021 - Albert Wong Likes this wine:

Drank this wine for Mother's Day along with:
1997 Shafter Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon and 2012 Chateau Batailley

NOSE
Intensity: medium to medium+
The intensity got stronger after half an hour
Red cherries, plum, quite strong cigar, candy

PALATE
Body: medium+
Acidity: medium to medium+
Intensity: medium+
Cigar, tobacco, Nim Jiom Pei Pa Kao (Chinese herbal throat syrup), hint of menthol, tar

TEXTURE
Tannins: medium+
comfortable, smooth
Got rounder throughout the 1.5 hours

BALANCE
Everything well integrated.

COMPLEXITY
The sweeter and syrupy flavours came through after 1 hour. Seemed like that there were more flavours to be discovered as we got to the end of the bottle.

FINISH
Length: medium+
Menthol, tobacco, a bit of bitter flavours

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now. Can age for many years to come.
Should have decanted this wine for 1 hour at least. I would definitely want to get another bottle to find out what flavours I had been missing out on.

5/8/2021 - Albert Wong wrote:

Drank this wine for Mother's Day along with:
2008 Chateau Rauzan-Segla and 1997 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

NOSE
Intensity: medium-
Cigar, black fruits, plum, blueberry,
Last pour had intense red cherry flavours

PALATE
Body: medium
Acidity: medium+
Intensity: medium-
Subtle meat flavours, ham, cigar, tobacco, plum, stone fruit, blueberry muffin

TEXTURE
Tannins: medium-
So so in terms of texture. Didn't get rounder throughout the night. Felt a bit watery and thin.

BALANCE
Ok balance. Comfortable and smooth

COMPLEXITY
Little change throughout 1.5 hours. Not significant.

FINISH
Length: medium
Like smoking a cigar. Smoky

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now. Maybe 10 years left in drinking window.
Perhaps could have decanted the bottle before drinking - which could have helped improve the flavours as well as helped the wine become a bit fuller and rounder.
The weakest of the 3 wines we tried on this night.

5/8/2021 - Albert Wong Likes this wine:

Drank this wine for Mother's Day along with:
2008 Chateau Rauzan-Segla and 2012 Chateau Batailley

Poured a quarter of a glass during the afternoon and let the wine sit in the bottle until dinner time.

NOSE
Intensity: pronounced
Red fruits, perfume, cigar, red cherries, candy, hint of menthol, Nim Jiom Pei Pa Kao (Chinese herbal throat syrup)
On the nose, very similar to the 1999 Chateau Palmer I had a few months back

PALATE
Body: full
Acidity: high
Intensity: pronounced
Dates, raisins, feels similar to an amarone, spices, red tea, tiny bit of cigar, caramel, vanilla, licorice, eucalyptus

TEXTURE
Tannins: medium+, bordering high
The tannins were chewy and comfortable, not distracting. Very round.
A bit of spiciness

BALANCE
Acidy, alcohol and tannins levels were all high. Overall, it was very well balanced and so smooth in my mouth.
With the alcohol level at 14.5%, it really didn't feel like it.

COMPLEXITY
The changes came slowly but consistently throughout the evening. Felt like if we left it a few more hours or over night, we would be tasting even more flavours.

FINISH
Length: medium+ to long
Eucalyptus, menthol and red tea aftertaste

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Can drink now. But still have many many years ahead of it.
I was expecting this to be powerful and heavy. But I didn't find it to be too filling and the overall structure of the wine was outstanding.
Everyone liked this wine as the nose and palate was by far the best of the night.

5/7/2021 - Albert Wong wrote:

NOSE
Intensity: medium- to medium
It was a lot more faint than I would have expected. I had a lot of trouble picking up the scents.
Cigar, tobacco, tar, cassis, pencil shavings, dates tiny bit of cured meat

PALATE
Body: medium
Acidity: medium+
Intensity: medium+
Bitter, soil, tobacco, hint of strawberry and hint of plum
Towards the end, some dates

TEXTURE
Tannins: medium+
Comfortable, polished tannins. Smooth.

BALANCE
Everything well integrated. The structure was the best part of the wine. With all the flavours and scents being subdued, the overall balance and structure was what stood out.

COMPLEXITY
There were small and subtle changes over 4 hours. Didn't feel there was any drop off by the end 4 hours.

FINISH
Length: medium
Smokey aftertaste, cigar

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now. Can put in cellar for a few more years.
This was my second bottle of the same vintage. The first bottle I had was more flavourful, so I was a little disappointed with this bottle. If you like powerful flavours, avoid this vintage of Saint-Pierre. But for me, I wouldn't mind having a few bottles in my cellar.

5/5/2021 - Albert Wong wrote:

NOSE
Intensity: pronounced
red cherries, black fruits, tobacco, meaty, tiny hint of nuts

PALATE
Body: medium to medium+
Acidity: medium+
Intensity: pronounced
Tinge of spiciness, tar, tobacco, meaty, bit of strawberry, hint of Parma ham

TEXTURE
Tannins: medium
Got a bit rounder after half an hour
Tannins increased after the wine woke up

BALANCE
Ok. Nothing terribly uncomfortable.

COMPLEXITY
Straight as an arrow,
Huge drop off after 1.5 hours

FINISH
Length: medium-
Mostly alcohol aftertaste at the finish

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now. Aging won't do this wine any good.
Expected quality from a second label. Was acceptable at the start.
Something to have a glass of at happy hour. But a glass would suffice.

10/25/2020 - Albert Wong Likes this wine:

Drank from the bottle over 2.5 hours.

NOSE
Intensity: medium
red tea, cured meat, tobacco, forest floor, hint of red cherries
After 1 hour: the wine became more aromatic

PALATE
Body: medium-
Acidity: medium+ not sharp, but mouth watering
Intensity: medium
red tea, cured meat, hint of cigar
After 1 hour: tinge of cantaloupe, hint of strawberry
After 2 hours: red tea, undefined fruity feel - like cantaloupe
tiny sharp hints of alcohol here and there

TEXTURE
Tannins: medium+
Still lots of tannins, but smooth.
As each hour passed, the wine got rounder and rounder.

BALANCE
Well balanced. Alcohol, tannins and acidity well integrated.

COMPLEXITY
The expected subtle changes in a right bank wine, and enough changes that I would want to keep drinking to see if there is more coming.

FINISH
Length: medium+
Aromatic finish in the mouth

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now, but it feels like there are still a good few years left
Could have performed better if decanted for an hour
Yes, I would love to drink another glass!

10/25/2020 - Albert Wong Likes this wine:

Drank this bottle over 2 nights because it wouldn't open up on the first night.

NOSE
Intensity: Medium+ to pronounced
-1ST NIGHT
Initial scent of flowers, perfume, tar, super strong cured meat smell, fruity smell
After 7 hours in: eucalyptus, chocolate
-2ND NIGHT
nutty, mint, eucalyptus, hint of cigar, red cherries, cedarwood, licorice

PALATE
Body: medium+ to full
Acidity: medium+
Intensity: medium+ to pronounced
-1ST NIGHT
Tar, tobacco, cured meat, cherries, red fruits
Felt really closed
-2ND NIGHT
Cigar, tobacco, Brands Chicken Essence, meaty aftertaste
tiny bit of lead and pencil shavings, licorice, quite strong eucalyptus, black tea aftertaste, plum
red cherries aftertaste
Seems like every sip I took, I found something new

TEXTURE
Tannins: high
Really thick, chewy tannins. But smooth. Much rounder and more comfortable on second night.

BALANCE
Tannins heavy are a bit too much for my liking, a bit distracting. But at this point, I am nitpicking. Other than that, the overall balance is good.

COMPLEXITY
Incredible! See nose and palate notes

FINISH
Length: Long
The aftertaste changed throughout the 2nd night. See palate notes.

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now, but still has many years ahead of it. Loads of potential.
Really need a long decant before the wine starts becoming expressive.
It was super enjoyable. One of my favourite wines.

4/5/2021 - Albert Wong Likes this wine:

NOSE
Intensity: Medium
Closed and tight
Floral, hint of cured meat, red fruits, cigar box, bit of walnut

PALATE
Body: medium
Acidity: medium
Intensity: medium+
Dark fruits, cigar, subtle bitterness, hint of menthol, red cherries
More fruit forward and rounder as the wine aired in the glass

TEXTURE
Tannins: medium to medium+
The tannins were smooth, subtle and polished.

BALANCE
Tannins, alcohol and acidity are well balanced.

COMPLEXITY
Drank over an hour and a half. It felt like the wine was constantly changing during that time in terms of smell, taste, texture, intensity or a combination of these traits.

FINISH
Length: medium+
Subtle bittersweet aftertaste, similar to ginseng flavours.

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now, but still has many years ahead of it
Very nice, elegant and enjoyable wine.
Ideally, should have decanted for an hour.
Not overly expensive for the quality it delivers.

10/16/2020 - Albert Wong Likes this wine:

I attempted to open this wine with a regular two-pronged cork puller. But once i pushed the prongs in, the cork slid right into the bottle. I was originally not going to decant this wine, but the cork in the bottle was not something I would stand for. Boy, was this a blessing in disguise!

NOSE
Intensity: Medium+
Upon open: wet leaves, forest floor, cassis, tobacco
Decant 45 minutes: hint of walnut, bacon,
Decant 75 minutes: wet leaves and forest floor gone, replaced by a hint of cured meat, vanilla and tobacco
Decant 90 minutes: honeydew smell comes through, tobacco,

PALATE
Body: medium-
Acidity: low
Intensity: medium+
Upon open: forest floor dominates, tobacco
Decant 45 minutes: add a bit of eucalyptus
Decant 75 minutes: honeydew, eucalyptus, leathery, tobacco, hint of green apple
Decant 90 minutes: eucalyptus, tobacco, cassis, green apple
Decant 120 minutes: hint of cured meat, red tea
Still going strong after 2 hour decant.

TEXTURE
Tannins: low
Silky smooth, little to no tannins remain
Became rounder and rounder as the night went on.

COMPLEXITY
As seen from the nose and palate, crazy complexity.

BALANCE
Everything is well integrated.

FINISH
Length: Medium
I was expecting a bit longer finish. One of the few flaws I would find.

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink Now! For a 37 year old wine, it still has a lot going for it ~ especially considering this was an average vintage.
The complexity of the wine made it so much fun to drink.

5/1/2021 - Albert Wong wrote:

NOSE
Intensity: Pronounced
Tobacco, very strong red fruit, red cherries, a bit of tar, hint of vanilla
Alcohol smell is quite strong even though the alcohol level is supposed to be 12.5%.

PALATE
Body: Full
Acidity: Medium
Intensity: Pronounced
Red cherries, tobacco, hint of coffee, vanilla

TEXTURE
Tannins: High
The tannins were rough and burdensome. I really did not enjoy this aspect of the wine.

BALANCE
The alcohol flavours were quite strong.

COMPLEXITY
Not complex. The flavours didn't change much throughout drinking. Not much drop off after 2 hours.

FINISH
Length: Medium-
Tobacco and alcohol.
Mostly the alcohol lingers.

CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now, or you can put it in your cellar for up to 5 years
This wine is for PnP. The flavours were basic but prevalent and enjoyable. But the tannins were very rough, which took away from the experience.
This was a decent wine for everyday drinking and I wouldn't mind buying a few bottles to put in my cellar.