Lynch Bages 2006 has been uncorked …

[Comte Flaneur]

It is a ‘bank holiday’ (…long…) weekend here in Blighty

The bottle has been standing up for over a week and the first from a demi case, which was shipped from a cellar in France a few weeks ago.

I opened it 30 minutes ago, put in the fridge door and have just decanted it.

I just came back from holiday in remote rural Wales where it was blissfully moist and mild, and have some Welsh lamb chops to go with it.

Smells promising …

I am thinking this could be clunky and monolithic giving succour to the Lynch Bages naysayers (turncoats)…or it could like the 1995 and 2004 reveal its class and its bona fide super second credentials

Stay tuned…

[Comte Flaneur]

[Comte Flaneur]

A small pour into a Grassl Versatile.

Screams Pauillac. Intense, inky Cabernet, but open for business. Quite big framed, grippy, tobacco, spices, plum, lead pencil and graphite. Has more upside, but already compelling.

[Comte Flaneur]

The blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The ABV is 13%.

[stefan]

Sounds like the Lynch I love, Ian. It should be great with the lamb chops.

[Nicklasss]

Looks like an interesting Lynch Bages. That 2006 was probably more affordable, than vintages after 2008.

Summer is slowly going away here, and i have spend much on holiday trips, and opened so much wines, add to that the back to school invoices for 3 kids, and Simone that have orthodontist supervision for her teeth for the next 3 years, that i'm in a little "economic" depression... so far away from buying some more Lynch Bages.

I'm kinda in a "back to basics" mood, looking for reds under 50-60$.

The 2006 i had were kinda closed young, but with a few years became interesting red Bordeaux. That 06 Lynch Bages seems in a good place from yout early comments, Ian.

[JimHow]

I would think Lynch + 2006 would be interesting, that’s a vintage I often find “light on its feet” but Lynch is not usually a wine described that way except for what maybe the ‘85?

[Comte Flaneur]

I was expecting this to be much more awkward than it has been tonight. I say this because my limited experiences with the 2006 vintage have been a bit mixed/awkward and modern Lynches can be a bit clunky.

I have not tried many 2006s but Mouton a few years ago was so painfully awkward and tannic. Christian Seely at the last Baron vertical I attended with him made the point that the 2006 vintage has been slow to come around.

The Lynch is the best and most satisfying 2006 I have tried. Haut-Bailly would be second. I drank this out of a 1855 Grassl. My initial notes are confirmed but the wine develops a more truffly note.

Jim it does remind me a bit if young bottles of the 1985. This is a very satisfying bottle of quintessential and classical somewhat old school pauillac. It should drink well over the next couple of decades. If you want to nitpick it does not develop more nuance and complexity beyond the initial impressions.

Maybe that will change with time. Is it on the same level as the extraordinary and subliminal 1982, 1989 and 1990 vintages? No, not quite, but it has echoes of those stars and more than a similarity with the 1985 even though 1985 and 2006 are very different vintages. Perhaps the best comparison is with the 1988, a terrific vintage for Lynch, overshadowed of course by 1989 and 1990.

I am happy to have picked up this half case albeit 20% below market. Lynch in the market is not particularly cheap, even for 2006. But the market encompasses all opinions and analysis.

This - already delicious - wine is a solid 93 pts…more 94 than 92.

[JimHow]

1988 Lynch is my second favorite Lynch.

[jckba]

1988 Lynch is my second favorite Lynch.

Love the ‘88’s in Pauillac generally speaking but much prefer the ‘85 Lynch over the ‘88.

The ‘06 was one I meant to buy especially as Parker praised it over the ‘05 but alas, I never did pull the trigger.

[hautbrionlover]

Jim,
I loved the ‘88 Lynch too.
I had bought six bottles ages ago because it was my daughter’s birth year.
Sadly, we drank the last one a few years ago - I think to celebrate her thirtieth birthday. It did make for a memorable birthday dinner though!

[DavidG]

Another 88 Lynch fan here. Still have 6 of them in the cellar, tend to open them on our anniversary.

[JoelD]

Sounds like my kind of wine. I've been unimpressed with some of the 2006's lately. Like you said the Haut Bailly is one of the better ones. The Pichon Lalande was fine but fairly boring. No real backbone.

I'm a big fan of Lynch Bages. I've enjoyed every bottle I've had. Haven't tried the 1988, but out of the great ones I've had, the 1985 might be the winner by a hair. Although the 1989 that Tim brought to the 2021 Saturday was sublime. If the 2006 is anything like the 1985, might have to seek it out. Thanks for the full post.