Château Lynch Bages (limited)

Romazini: 3/5 Stars

The Winespectator: 92/100 Points

Blackberry, licorice and mint aromas lead to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and lots of blackberry and mineral fruit character. Shows outstanding concentration and balance. Best after 2014.

Robert Parker: 92/100 Points

1988 or 1995-ish in style, rather than 1996, which seems to be the vintage several 2006s recall, this dense purple-colored wine displays sweet notes of creme de cassis, tobacco leaf, licorice, and some cedar and graphite. The wine has plenty of structure a la 1995 and a backward, muscular personality, but beautiful fruit on the attack and alluring purity and a nicely textured mouthfeel. The finish suggests cellaring for 3-5 years and drinking over the following two decades.

The Wine Enthusiast: 94/100 Points

Barrel Sample A big, powered wine, packed with both dense fruit and equally dense tannins. Huge structure, but the ripe fruit and the blackberry richness offer great potential.