Chateau Lynch-Bages 2005

"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."

96 Points

Wine Enthusiast

"There's a relaxed feel to this wine. Cazes's team can dress Lynch-Bages in the black-tie formality of a first growth, but the wine is still lovely-a touch of gaminess makes it friendly rather than ponderous. There's something ethereal about its tannins, like a chocolate truffle melting in the mouth. (Daniel Llose used 80 percent new oak for this vintage; the yields were short so there were more new barrels to go around, and at a tannic index of 82, the wine could handle it). Pure black cherry flavor saturates the wine with freshness; the complexity is intriguing and silken rather than aggressive. This should be readily accessible at ten to 20 years of age and should thrive for years after."

96 Points

Wine & Spirits

"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."

91 Points

The Wine Advocate

"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."

91 Points

International Wine Cellar

"At once both well-ripened and a bit backward with respect to fruit, this solid, moderately tannic young wine shows glimmers of sweet oak, cassis, raspberries and new leather that portend very good things to come once it has grown past adolescence. For now, it is a bit on the hard side, but, that said, it hangs on and on at the finish in a way that makes us more optimistic than not about where it will go."

90 Points

Connoisseurs' Guide