Lynch Bages 1961

Pauillac, Fifth Growth

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Tasting Notes

Served blind before lunch in Zurich, this has a typical ’61 bouquet that is more masculine when juxtaposed against the ’59. Touches of oyster shell and cold black tea, a hint of bergamot developing with time on the nose that I wish had more vigour. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins and seems a little conservative at first, but soon gets into gear and develops an alluring velvety texture. Broody black fruit towards the finish that does not quite have the length of the ’59 but perhaps has more structure. It is just the aromatics that let this impressive Lynch Bages down.

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2020 01 January 2011

Still a spectacular wine, the 1961 defies mortality. It has been at its peak for nearly 15 years, yet it shows no signs of losing its fruit and drying out. The color is a dark garnet with orange/amber at the edge. The profound bouquet has the magnetic allure that leaves great Bordeaux unmatched for complexity. Sweet notes of dried fruits, herbs, tobacco, smoke, and roasted meats are followed by an opulently-textured, thick, nearly viscous wine with high glycerin, ripe, jammy fruit, and an intoxicating combination of glycerin, extract, and suppleness. The wine holds in the glass without cracking up, and has a good 40-45 second finish. There is no telling how much longer this 1961 will retain its magic, but it is still a classic. Anticipated maturity: now-2010.

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2000-2010 01 June 2000