+3 hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable dark garnet color. On the nose: dark plum/currants, forest floor, touch of mint and leather, smokey brisket. Taste: layered, structured, dry wine with plum, cassis, tobacco, cedar, currants and a tangy spiced raspberry medium plus finish. YUM! No hurry, time to go. — 6 days ago
1986 vintage. Sampled five bottles for a 1986 BDX tasting @ Mister A's in San Diego. Double decanted and tasted over four hours. Medium body. Pretty rustic early on and that stayed consistent till the end. Opened up a little later with a splash of bright cherry fruit. Should stay the course for another 5-6 years. 3.14.24 — 14 days ago
Lots of eucalyptus at opening. 15 mins in it begins to settle in. Leather, mushroom on the nose with the ever present eucalyptus. Really well structure fruit on the palette, a tinge of acidity and a bit sharp on the finish. More time in the glass brings a balance that’s amazing for a 39 year old wine. Thankfully no one here to share!
— 11 days ago
2016 vintage. Always understated style. Lean throughout. Light-medium body with dedicated, yet delicate, push. Distinctive producer. Enduring delivery currently. Obviously not for everyone but for those that get it, borders on obsession. Mushrooms. Drying earth. Light cedar. Cassis. Subdued sandalwood. Very close to being the Burgundy of St. Julien. Last tasted 9.20.21 and scored same. 3.16.24. — 12 days ago
I compare the Heitz Napa to the Joseph Phelps Napa in many ways. I believe the Phelps is slightly less vintage dependent than Heitz. But, this 07 like the vintage in Napa, sensational.
This 2007 is peaking. Perfectly ripe & juicy; brambly blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries/kirsch, blueberries come on late and poached strawberries on the edges. The tannins are still dark and tarry. Rich, sweet, dark soils, mid & dark berry cola, anise, steeped black tea, dry tobacco, used leather, cedar/sandalwood, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon & vanillin, moist, grey volcanic clay, dry crushed rocks, limestone, mid spice, hints of grilled meat, some fresh/dry herds, a tad of eucalyptus, stewy/tumble weed, fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in violets, excellent round acidity, the scope of the finishes encompasses; balance for days, nice structure & tensioned, elegant, polished and lasts two minutes.
Photos all taken around their tasting room on Hwy 29 when their tasting was still the last free tasting in Napa. Still not over the family selling to a corporation that has no wine experience. — 18 days ago
2010 vintage. Black cherry and black currant with cigar box and allspice and a touch of multi-grain on the nose. Black and bing cherry with chewy tannins and rooibos. Plum tartness, and an interesting grape-y aspect. Ripe currant and licorice.
This is more like it!
#chateaulynchbages #lynchbages #pauillac #appellationpauillaccontrôlée
#leftbank #bordeaux #grandcruclasséde1855 — 8 days ago
1986 vintage. Ripped through six bottles (one corked) for a 1986 BDX dinner @ Mister A's-San Diego. All bottles appropriately aged fill and decent+ corks. Double decanted and tasted over the course of 5 hours. Mix of powdery and stubborn (non-chunky) sed amongst the 6 bottles. Light-medium body throughout. Somewhat muted experience overall. None of the bottles (with variation) shone/sung. Wine is firmly on the downside of the bell curve with best days behind it (based on the 5 + corked bottle examples). There was none of the usual P-L flavor markers but the body hung in there. Pains me to say this but drink up now unless you've got a larger format bottle. Maggie (+) would probably yield a higher score. 3.14.24. — 14 days ago
Brian Saunders
I guess I’m drinking this too soon! Need to better manage the cellar… tremendous fruit on the nose as I decanted that became more vegetal with time. Bright and leathery on the tongue, rich and luscious in the mouth. Strong tannins — easy to see how others are enjoying it at twice the age. — 4 days ago