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Goedhuis, March 2018
Typically Pauillac, with its striking blackcurrant and eucalyptus flavours. This is a firm direct style, with a natural drive of tannic intensity. A little more reserved than the Grand Puy Lacoste and will benefit from further development in the bottle.
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Goedhuis, April 2006, Score: 91-93+
The 2005 will please any Lynch Bages aficionado (and may make converts of others). Plump with wild strawberry and spice, it is deceivingly complex suggesting it may be approachable fairly early on but will age marvellously well. Wonderful entry that carries through consistently to the long finish. Drink 2012-2025+.
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Neal Martin, June 2021, Score: 93
From: Passing the Baton: Lynch-Bages 1945-2018 (Jul 2023)
The 2005 Lynch-Bages is more opulent on the nose with camphor-tinged black and red fruit, desiccated orange peel and sage. With time, it develops a lovely floral component. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, bold and brassy with plenty of substance. This is no shy retiring wallflower but rather a demonstrative, almost flamboyant Pauillac with layers of black fruit laced with white pepper on the finish. Maybe it is a bit brash for some? But give this time because it will ultimately mellow. Tasted at the Lynch-Bages vertical at the château.
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Antonio Galloni, April 2021, Score: 95+
The 2005 Lynch-Bages is a surprising wine. Whereas so many 2005s have begun to enter their first plateau of early maturity, the 2005 comes across as still young and in need of further cellaring! The purity of the fruit is striking. Readers who want to get the full Lynch-Bages experience will have to wait at least a few more years. The 2005 is a wine of substance and depth, with all of the raciness that is typical of this wine. It is one of the dark horses of the vintage, and still has room to go. Impressive.
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Robert Parker, June 2015, Score: 92
As for the 2005 Lynch-Bages, it is a sexy, surprisingly soft and accessible style of wine, with a deep ruby/purple color, loads of crème de cassis, cedar wood and forest floor notes, medium to full body, ripe tannin and a long, fleshy finish. Drink it over the next 15+ years.
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Robert Parker, August 2011, Score: 94+
As one might suspect, the dense purple-hued 2005 is still tannic, firm and young, with concentrated blackberry and cassis fruit, beautiful ripeness, a full-bodied mouthfeel and undeniable youthfulness. Tasting like a 2-3 year old wine rather one that has passed its sixth birthday, it is potentially one of the longest lived Lynch Bages since the remarkable 1989 and 2000. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2030+.
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Robert Parker, April 2008, Score: 91
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. Drink: 2008 - 2028.
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Robert Parker, April 2007, Score: 90-92
I have long been an admirer of this estate (having purchased their 1982, 1989, 1990, 1996, and 2000), but the 2005 is not one of their most profound efforts. While certainly outstanding, Lynch Bages appears to have lightened its style dramatically over the last 4-5 years. Sweet black currant fruit intermixed with cedar, dried Provencal herbs, licorice, olives, and earthy notes lead to a sexy, medium-bodied, surprisingly elegant, lighter-styled wine. It may put on more weight with additional age, but at present it is a soft, forward, easy-going Pauillac. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.
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Robert Parker, April 2006, Score: 91-93
This dense inky/purple-hued, elegant Lynch Bages will not make tasters forget the 2000, 1996, 1990, or 1989, but it is a big improvement over some recent indifferent efforts. Although lacking the massiveness expected in a vintage such as 2005, it possesses copious quantities of creme de cassis, licorice, smoke, and minerals. With good precision, lively acidity, wonderful purity and elegance, it may represent a modern-day clone of the brilliant 1955 fashioned by charismatic proprietor, Jean-Michel Cazes, father. The 2005 will require 3-5 years of cellaring, and should evolve for 20-25 years. Drink: 2009 - 2031.
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Jancis Robinson, April 2006, Score: 17
Intense crimson. Lightly fragrant. Soft, spicy, slightly tarry start and then iron hand in that appealing velvet glove. Very nicely done wine but I could do with just slightly more freshness. Competent certainly. A little bit of a fade on the finish. When I tasted it non-blind next to its second wine Haut Bages Averous, I was surprised not to see a greater difference in quality between them. It is certainly denser and drier - in fact the tannins are currently pretty inky on the finish. Drink 2016-26.
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Wine Spectator, April 2006, Score: 92-94
Currant, blackberry, cherry and hints of licorice. Full-bodied, with silky and refined tannins and a fresh finish. This is racy and pretty. Very refined. Very structured.
