Chateau Lynch Bages 1988

WINE SPECTATOR: "Complex aromas of dark chocolate, currant and cigar box. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a mouthpuckering finish. Still very concentrated and chewy. Finishes with loads of ripe fruits, tobacco and cedar. Big and juicy wine. Give it a couple of years still."

WEINWISSER: "Dunkles, sattes Bordeauxrot. In der Nase herrlich würziges Cassis-Brombeer-Bouquet, schwarzer Pfeffer, Trüffelspuren, sehr intensiv und kräftig. Fester Gaumen, deutliche Cabernet-Note, noch adstringierend, fleischig, ein grossartiger Wein, der sich noch zwei, drei Jahre weiter entwickeln wird. Somit ein unerkannter Wert, den man noch ersteigern kann."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "One of the big surprises is how delicious this wine has turned out. It is a beautiful, classic claret. Dark ruby-colored with purple hues, it reveals aromas of dried herbs, smoke, leather, grilled meats, and copious black cherry and currant fruit. Medium-bodied, powerful, rich, and surprisingly evolved, this vintage has hit its plateau of maturity, where it should remain for another 10-12 years."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Old school styled Pauillac, with a combination of strict, austerity and a charming, cedar, tobacco, cigar wrapper, leaf and cassis personality, the wine is full bodied, fully mature, ending with a spicy, cassis finish. Give it an hour of air, at this stage. It will add softness and depth."