Château Lynch Bages, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2005
Very pure nose with a hint of smoky oak (from 80% new barrels), plenty of sweet blackcurrant with a rich hint of yeast extract. There is good weight on the palate, very fine tannins and a balanced length. Despite the considerable power, the wine is restrained, elegant and stylish.
critic reviews
The 2005 Lynch Bages has an intense bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, iodine and light minty aromas, still quite youthful after 20 years. Touches of melted tar emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and firm grip, a little toasty in style with an assertive and bold tarry finish. Give this another three to four years.
The owner of Lynch Bages in 1855 was André-Louis Jurine, son of Swiss wine merchant Sébastien Jurine who bought the property in 1824, and it is this name that you find on the 1855 listing, without the term Château (it would have regularly been called simply Lynch-Bages or Cru de Lynch at the time). Today seen as one of the 5th Growths that has far outgrown its original rank, this 2005 shows just how well Lynch Bages can age, just stirring into full life at 20 years old. The tight fruits from a few years ago are finally starting to soften, and this is showing gorgeous black cherry and cassis fruits, tobacco and cigar box edging, still muscular but now letting the mint leaf and fresh acidities fill the palate. 80% new oak, Daniel LLose winemaker. This was the last year that Jean-Michel Cazes was in charge before handing over to his son Jean-Charles.
The 2005 Lynch-Bages is composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-brick in color, it strides out of the glass with classic notes of warm cassis, baked black plums, and cedar chest, leading to suggestions of tapenade, dried Provence herbs, smoked meats, and the faintest waft of cigar box. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is youthful and taut, with a solid backbone of grainy tannins and lively line preserving the fruit beautifully, delivering a wine of great purity. The finish is long and fruity. Delicious now in this youthful flush, it has the backbone to cellar a further 20 years+.