Lynch Bages - Pauillac 2005

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2015

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.

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe2/9/2015

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. 

La Revue du Vin de France

18 / 20

the10/20/2014

Tout à fait dans l'esprit du cru, avec un côté voluptueux irrésistible. Il ravira les amateurs de vins gourmands et suaves. Très jolie structure tannique soyeuse. Sa finale se montre explosive.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/31/2011

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+ Drink 2017-2030. (94+ points)

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/12/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This is lacking the same level of fruit intensity as the other wines in this flight. Blackberry, bilberry, a touch of fig, but lacks a little harmony. The palate is very concentrated, tight grip, quite toasty with blackberry, briary, a touch of melted tar and cedar with a nice austerity coming through on the long understated finish. Awesome. Drink 2015-2035. Tasted January 2009.

Wine Enthusiast

96 / 100

the12/4/2008

Classic Lynch Bages with just a bit of extra power and richness. While the tannins are structured, it is the velvety fruit that rolls around the mouth that is the most dominant character. It is coming together into a wine that will be big and dense, but never over the top.

Decanter Magazine

5 / 5

the10/13/2008

There is depth here to the fruit and hidden power too. A complete wine with splendid middle palate, derise and packed, and a long, ripe finish. From 2017.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

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.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

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.

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/2/2008

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2008

Jancis Robinson

16.50 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe11/21/2007

Meaty, moreish dark fruit balacned by cedary freshness. Tannins are firm but fine-grained and the fruit is still juicy on the finish. 16.5+

La Revue du Vin de France

18 / 20

the9/3/2007

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/4/2007

I have long been an admirer of this estate (having purchased their 1982, 1989, 1990, 1996, and 2000), but the 2005 is not one of their most profound efforts. While certainly outstanding, Lynch Bages appears to have lightened its style dramatically over the last 4-5 years. Sweet black currant fruit intermixed with cedar, dried Provencal herbs, licorice, olives, and earthy notes lead to a sexy, medium-bodied, surprisingly elegant, lighter-styled wine. It may put on more weight with additional age, but at present it is a soft, forward, easy-going Pauillac. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/1/2006

This dense inky/purple-hued, elegant Lynch Bages will not make tasters forget the 2000, 1996, 1990, or 1989, but it is a big improvement over some recent indifferent efforts. Although lacking the massiveness expected in a vintage such as 2005, it possesses copious quantities of creme de cassis, licorice, smoke, and minerals. With good precision, lively acidity, wonderful purity and elegance, it may represent a modern-day clone of the brilliant 1955 fashioned by charismatic proprietor, Jean-Michel Cazes’, father. The 2005 will require 3-5 years of cellaring, and should evolve for 20-25 years.

Wine Spectator

92-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/28/2006

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. —J.S.