1999 Château Lynch-Bages
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Tasting notes
The 1999 Lynch-Bages has a deep core with modest aging on the rim. The nose is austere, a little introspective, as undergrowth mixes with black truffle and morels showing fine definition. There is definitely some greenness here. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins that frame the tart red fruit laced with tobacco and smoke. This attenuates a little towards the finish that displays a touch of greenness, though it fades in the glass. Tasted blind at the Lynch Bages vertical at the château.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1999 Lynch-Bages, now at 20 years of age, has a modest, quite attractive bouquet of blackberry, dried fig, leather and faint touches of mint. There is still good vigor here considering its age. The palate is medium-bodied with relatively light tannins for Lynch-Bages. There is a core of sweetness here, hints of brown sugar sprinkled over the light red fruit that appears to have faded in recent years. A simple Lynch-Bages relative to recent vintages, rather conservative and missing some grip on the finish. Drink over the next 5 to 8 years. Tasted from an ex- château bottle at the estate.
A charming, lush, round, generous Lynch Bages, the 1999 offers plenty of sweet black currant fruit, damp earth, licorice, cedarwood and spicy herb-like characteristics. Medium-bodied, savory and broad in the mouth with no hard edges, this fully mature effort is a somewhat underrated vintage for this estate. Enjoy it over the next decade.
About the producer
Ch. Lynch-Bages is one of the largest and best properties in Pauillac, in the Médoc. While officially classified as a Fifth Growth estate, it regularly competes with the First and Second Growths when it comes to quality and ageability.