Tom Kohli

8.9

Great cab great night! — 9 days ago

Jason

9.0

Straight goated. The OG — 4 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Whenever I have a really older bottle of wine, I think, what was I doing in this case 1989?

About this time of year, I was walking into Candlestick Park for the Bay Bridge World Series while this wine was fermenting. I was walking through the parking lot when the 89 earthquake hit. It was like Godzilla was a Gopher tunneling under my feet. The stadium erupted with a resounding cheer. Earthquake during the World Series...yeah! It wasn’t until an hour later that hard reality set in.

This Chateau Lynch-Moussas is a recent direct purchase from the Negotiant. 89 was a pretty good Bordeaux year. So, why not see how a 5th Growth producer wine evolved over 30 years. It’s a treat to enjoy wine with this much age.

While Lynch-Mousses has improved vastly in more recent vintages, back in the day, they made some nice wines but, not great. This wine shows beauty & elegance but, it lacks fundamental elements of high quality. However, its fruit and structure have held up nicely over the years.

The nose reveals a fair amount of; barnyard, mushrooms, ripe; blackberries dark currants, dark cherries, black raspberries & strawberries on the edges of the glass. Black plum skin, dark chocolate, raspberry cola, mocha, caramel, clove, nutmeg, burnt cinnamon, tarriness, graphite, leather, old tobacco, dark spice, dry herbs, dark, rich, black earth, stones, dry brush, steeped tea with withering red & dark florals.

The body is still full and round. The fruits are still ripe & slightly candied. The wine is still holding an interesting drinking window, it’s on the decline. While that sounds not good, I find them in this phase infinitely more interesting. Ripe; blackberries dark currants, dark cherries, black raspberries & some strawberries. Black plum with skin, dark chocolate, raspberry cola, mocha, caramel, clove, nutmeg, burnt cinnamon, vanillin, tarriness, graphite, leather, old tobacco, dark spice, dry herbs, dark, rich, forest floor, mushrooms, stones, touch of limestone minerals & crush rocks, dry brush, steeped tea with withering red & dark florals with violets. The acidity is round & excellent. The long finish is; rich, ripe, well balanced & intergraded with long drier but, very floral persistence.

Excellent with our steaks. Still has another 5-7 years of good drinking ahead with excellent storage. I also miss the 12-13% ABV of the 80’s Bordeaux’s.

Photos of; the entrance view of Chateau Lynch-Moussas, Count Jean-Baptiste Lynch of Ireland and Chateau founded in the 1800’s, the owner/operator since 1961 - Emile Casteja and their barrel room.
— 4 years ago

Bernd Hesse

9.7

Wow ! Loved it — 2 months ago

Debbie Duque

10

Laid this down for 15 years in my wine cellar. OMG just opened it and I am blown away . Amazing nose and taste! ♥️♥️ — 8 months ago

Mark Flesher

9.1

You gotta give this bottle some time. After the cork was popped, this one had a pretty funky tart characteristic to it and a metallic kind of character and acidity that was a little off-putting. After 30 minutes, totally different wine. Just ripened black cherry and oregano notes dominate the palate and the entry. Medium bodied wine. Not really all that complex. Nide acidity on the finish..some black pepper and cola. Went much better with Asian StirFry than it did alone. I think I will try to save the other bottle for a couple of years. — 4 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.5

2014 Napa Earthquake survivor. She survived the fall, cushioned by her comrades around her. Some did not make it back to base. With that, we salute you. — 5 years ago

with Mark

Jason

9.2

Pinkish Italian wine, very well developed. Reminds me of a rombauer or earthquake zin. Solid. Only drink if you want something deep, rich, and complex. Pairs very well with green grapes and crackers, but not a dry aged steak or seafood. Not a heavy drinking wine.

$80
— 2 months ago

Joe Gillies

9.3

Excellent! Has the body and fruit of a Cali pinot but balanced with the earthy and acidity of a burgundy pinot. Go Braves! — 2 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The nose reveals, bright red and dark ripe, floral fruits. Blackberries, dark cherries, blackberries, black plum, sweet tarry notes, black licorice, vanilla, steeped black tea, funky earthiness, dark berry cola, dry crushed rock powder and dark red florals and violets.

The body is medium with tannins that are teethy, tarry and a little meaty. Ripe, floral; blackberries, dark cherries, blackberries and black plum. Sweet tarry notes, black licorice, vanilla, steeped black tea, funky earthiness, dark berry cola, dry crushed rock powder, grainy volcanic minerals, rich black earth, dark red florals with violets. The acidity bright & lively. The finish is leaner than in most Napa Cabernets, well balanced, fresh and nicely polished.

Photos of, their Estate property, our tasting, barrels not rocked by the 14 earthquake and another on of their Napa vineyards. — 5 years ago