The 1995 Lynch Bages was the leading vote getter in the January installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The winery is located in Pauillac, and is designated a 5th growth as determined by the classification of 1855. At release time, the wine received a rating of 91 points from the Wine Advocate.
I purchased this bottle on release and the cork was in respectable condition when I opened it. The wine was decanted for an hour and served with meatloaf.
Light crimson in color. Almost the color of rust. 13% ABV. Great big nose of red fruits, pencil shavings and leather. Initially somewhat lean on the palate but the wine gained some weight after a couple hours in the decanter. Typical flavors of cherry, plum, tobacco and graphite. There are tannins in spades on a really long finish. If you are a fan of old world, masculine Bordeaux then this is a wine for you. This wines lacks the opulence of great Lynch Bages like the ’89 and ’00. Drink over the next decade.
My rating: 91 points.
Recent vintages of Lynch Bages including the 2006 and ’08 can be found for under $150. The ’09 and ’10 will be significantly more expensive.
Let me know if you have any requests for the February installment of Pick My Next Bottle.
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When I opened my last bottle of 95 Lynch Bages (about 5 years ago) I rated it 91 points, although the bottle I opened then was not showing the level of tannins you experienced in your bottle now. It’s interesting that we seem to rate Bordeaux the same way. Cheers!