Lynch Bages 2002

The 2002 Lynch-Bages is showing brilliantly, after a four-hour double decant, wafting from the glass with an utterly classic nose of cassis and loamy soil mingled with hints of cedar and oak vanillin. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and layered, with plenty of rich, powdery tannins and lively acids, as its structure begins to melt, the wine's depth and length is becoming more and more apparent. Like the best examples of this vintage, the 2002 Lynch-Bages has proven a real sleeper. 2020 - 2040

Bell pepper, cigar box, red as well as black currant notes, dusty, earthy tannins, and a medium-bodied personality make for a good but uninspiring effort. Drink the 2002 over the next 5-10 years.

Tasted blind at Farr's 2002 Bordeaux tasting. This marks a better showing for Lynch Bages, this bottle retaining the austere, stoic façade but behind it more evidence of blueberry, iodine and violets. Good lift with an undercurrent of sous-bois. Very ripe entry, chewy tannins, blackberry, boysenberry and graphite leading to a dense, dry introverted finish. Tasted October 2009.

Dark ruby in colour with soft russet on the edges, this still feels like a young wine, showcasing the slow progression of top Pauillac even in vintages that have less widespread acclaim. Campfire smoke, firm tannins, good acidities, plenty of spice, tobacco, dried fruit, saffran, this is edging towards tertiary now but remains well structured. 65% new oak.