Chateau Lynch Bages 1986

THE 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."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: 90 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "This brawny, beefy, masculine style of Pauillac is the epitome of what many people call classic. Still young and tannic, with luck, time will help this wine. While it may soften and gain complexity, it will always remain stern."

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.--Lynch-Bages non-blind vertical. Drink now."