1986 Lynch-Bages, Pauillac
SKU #950026
94
points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 1986 is finally emerging from the dormant stage that many of the wines from this vintage (especially the Medocs) have been going through. It is a full-bodied, still backward wine that will appeal to classicists and old line traditionalists given its firm structure and austere tannins. Nevertheless, the color is a healthy deep garnet and the wine exhibits wonderful freshness along with notes of underbrush, damp earth, black currants, cedar and new saddle leather. Well-balanced with good depth, medium to full body, and a tannic (although not excessively so) finish, this may not be the most finesse-styled, elegant Lynch Bages ever produced, but it is an interesting Pauillac that will benefit from another 3-4 years of cellaring. While it may never hit the peaks achieved by great Lynch Bages vintages, it will be one of those rare wines that will last 40+ years.
(8/ 2011)
93
points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Garnet-tinged dark ruby-red. Black fruits, candied red cherry, licorice, minerals, cedar and iron on the complex, still-reticent nose. Then more approachable on the palate, displaying a lovely restrained sweetness to the blackberry and blueberry fruit and excellent lift and clarity from lively acidity and solid underlying minerality. The finish features noble, fine-grained tannins and subtle persistence. An unusually accessible 1986 but very typical of the fleshy Lynch-Bages personality, this boasts lovely concentration and sneaky depth. Very well done.
(1/ 2012)
90
points
Wine Spectator
Dark in color, with intense aromas of ripe black cherry, cedar and light herbs. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm tannins and a medium finish. A bit lean today, but there's lots going on here. (2007)
Decanter
Impressively deep colour with a very good nose of tight, crisp fruit. Hefty and very tannic palate, with a full body and flavour and a good future.
Jancis Robinson
Deep, almost dusty crimson. A dense, 'thick' wine with more sweetness than most 1986s and impressive length. Seemed in early 2009 not quite fully unfurled. Spice and richness. Suggests it will be even more rewarding in a few years. No trace of oevrripeness but the acid and tannins seem in balance with the fruit concentration.
(5/ 2009)