1986 CHÂTEAU LYNCH BAGES 1986

(9-2007)

(10-1998) Packed with flavour, its vigour adn fruit taking one's mind off the tannins...Impressively deep though a misleadingly mature rim; fleshy, ripe, leathery, cedar and 'cheese rind' bouquet -- quite exciting; nice fruit but a lean touch. An agreeable drink despite its teeth-gripping finish.

(12-2016) The 1986 Lynch Bages has a knockout bouquet that wraps its arms around you with all its loveliness: pure black cherries, mint and cedar, even a touch of glycerine still there. Vibrant and youthful. The palate is beautifully balanced, crisp and taut, linear but very precise with a fine bead of acidity. You just fall for the harmony of this Lynch Bages, the intensity of fruit that seems undiminished on the finish. Is it up there with the 1989 and 1990? Maybe not, but it is not far behind. Frankly this Lynch Bages is a 1986 Claret that you cannot own too much of and as I commented to Jean-Michel Cazes tasting alongside me, at 30 years of age it still has more to give. Tasted July 2016.

(12-2016) Dark color, medium intensity and mature. Discreet and simple nose. Round, juicy, tasty on the palate, still a hint of tannin despite an onset of velvety. Good length with a nice return of aromas, which I consider to be the mark of a great terroir.