Lynch Bages 2009

Pauillac, Fifth Growth

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Tasting Notes
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. Score: 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2042 01 March 2012
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. 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. (94-96+ Points) Score: 94 - 96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2056 31 August 2011
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. (94-96+ Points) Score: 94 - 96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2050 01 April 2010
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. Score: 97 James Suckling, - Maturity: 2020+ 15 February 2012
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. Score: 96 - 99 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2010
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. Score: 90 - 93 Ian D'Agata, International Wine Cellar 01 May 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. Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2028 01 April 2010
76CS 18M 4CF 2PV. Lovely bright even crimson colour. Intensely perfumed ripe fruit nose - very Cabernet with fresh blackberry, cassis and smoke. Then rich and full-bodied with firm dark fruit. Impressive depth and mineral complexity in the mid-palate. Opulent with nicely judged oak. Very smooth and harmonious. Great Lynch. Score: 93 - 95 Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010
Dense purple red, concentrated Cabernet cassis plus rich spiciness, big volume on the palate, expressive elegance over the natural vigour, lifted and long. Score: 18 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2015-2030 01 April 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. Score: 94 - 96 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 March 2010

Tasting Notes

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.

Score: 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2042 01 March 2012

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. 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. (94-96+ Points)

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2056 31 August 2011

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. (94-96+ Points)

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2050 01 April 2010

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.

Score: 97

James Suckling, - Maturity: 2020+ 15 February 2012

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.

Score: 96 - 99

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2010

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.

Score: 90 - 93

Ian D'Agata, International Wine Cellar 01 May 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.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2028 01 April 2010

76CS 18M 4CF 2PV. Lovely bright even crimson colour. Intensely perfumed ripe fruit nose - very Cabernet with fresh blackberry, cassis and smoke. Then rich and full-bodied with firm dark fruit. Impressive depth and mineral complexity in the mid-palate. Opulent with nicely judged oak. Very smooth and harmonious. Great Lynch.

Score: 93 - 95

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010

Dense purple red, concentrated Cabernet cassis plus rich spiciness, big volume on the palate, expressive elegance over the natural vigour, lifted and long.

Score: 18

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2015-2030 01 April 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.

Score: 94 - 96

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 March 2010

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