Tasting Notes
Neal Martin 90
The 1998 Lynch-Bages shows less aging, and the fruit here is darker and more compact than others in this era: blackberry, wild hedgerow, cedar and a touch of wild mint. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannins, blackberry, briary, iron rust and an underlying bitterness that just dries out the finish a little. This is quite a serious Lynch Bages, and I would drink this in the near future. Tasted blind at the Lynch Bages vertical at the chateau.
Anticipated maturity: 2021-2030
Stephen Tanzer 90
Medium ruby. Pungent aromas of currant, lead pencil, minerals, cedar and herbs. Penetrating but sweet, with perfumed inner-mouth aromas and lovely clarity of flavor. Finishes with dusty, even tannins that spread out nicely to coat the palate. Classic claret. I’ve liked this wine more each time I’ve tasted it.
Vinous 91+
(78% cabernet sauvignon, 14% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot; 5.4 g/l total acidity; 13.2% alcohol): Dark ruby-red. Ripe blackcurrant aromas and flavors are lifted by pungent graphite, cedar and mineral notes. Balanced, pure and smooth in the mouth, with excellent perfume and precision. Finishes long and pure, with lingering cassis and leather notes. This is another Lynch-Bages that has picked up volume and flesh from bottle aging. It’s a very classic Pauillac and a wine that can still improve with additional cellaring.
Wine Advocate 87
Slightly austere, leafy and herbal, the fresh 1998 lacks concentration, fat and fruit depth. It reveals a hint of herbs interwoven with attractive red and black currant aromas, but the wine falls off on the palate, and requires drinking up as it is likely to become increasingly desiccated.
