Back in 2003 I bought 3 cases of this wine and have steadily been drinking it on occasions like birthdays and Christmas.  This week I will be opening two bottles, this one and then another with my wine class in celebration of another year on earth.

I’m shocked at the color of this 21 year old- medium ruby, with a touch of bricking.  I could call it garnet but it still shows youth in the glass.  The nose is stunningly mature yet still gives off aromas of some primary fruit.  Blackberry, cassis, leather, tobacco, mint, rose water, black plum, vanilla- the list could go on.  It is so complex and earthy.  The palate is dry with quite a tannic grip on the forefront.  Medium (+) acidity makes for a sour note on the initial attack.  As the wine warms on the tongue I get all the primary, secondary and tertiary flavors I picked out on the nose with a helping of sour cherry to keep it sharp.  The wine is medium (+) bodied and is a comfortable 13% ABV.  The finish is medium (+) in length and tapers to mainly tertiary flavors, the fruit running out of steam early.  The sourness and acidity make it a mouthwatering wine that begs to be drunk.  This is by far my favorite label.  I paid $60 back in the day for one bottle that now runs $200.  I would says it is at peak and has another 3-5 years left.  It deserves more than the 90 points it got originally.  I would say it is a 92 pointer and I have to go with 5 stars.  Pairings would include any manner of meat, cooked in pretty much any style.  Love this stuff.  Salut….

My friend Jimbo is in town and I promised him some good wine. Back in 2003 I bought three cases of this stuff and now I am opening bottle #26, having tasted the evolution over the past 15 years or so. This was a spectacular example of perfectly aged Bordeaux. It is at peak right now, showing layers of tertiary fruit, rich cassis, gentle acidity and soft tannins. Balanced perfectly with a sublime mouthfeel. I’m super happy with the results of my patient cellaring. I believe this cost me $59 back in the day, now it will run over $100. A good deal if you ask me that gets 92 points and 5 stars. Probably need to think about the rest of the case as I don’t think there is much left in the tank with this claret. Here are my class notes. Salut….

Chateau Lynch Bages 2001, Pauillac, France 13.0% ABV

• Appearance- Deep garnet
• Pronounced nose of dried blackberry (Cassis), leather, earth, tobacco, cedar, forest floor.  Fully developed.
• Palate- dry, medium (-) acidity, medium (-) tannins, medium alcohol, medium body, pronounced flavors of dried blackberry (cassis), tobacco, leather, forest floor and charred wood.  Long finish.
• Conclusion- outstanding quality, drink now: not suitable for aging or further aging.

Twenty years ago I bought a case of this Fifth Growth Bordeaux. Last year I gave this bottle as a house warming gift to friends, who sat on it and waited for my return. This past weekend we opened it in all its glory- it was delicious.

Totally showing its age with some serious bricking and sediment in the bottle, it is medium tawny in color. The nose is loaded with tertiary flavors of tobacco, cedar, leather, stewed prune and cinnamon stick. The palate is super smooth with tannins that are so integrated and balanced by a modicum of acidity. The fruit flavors have pretty much disappeared- it’s all about the tertiary notes. Classic Bourdaux that’s been aged with a smooth mouth feel.

Tell you what- there’s still some back end juiciness and tannic grip which tell me this wine has a little more life in it!  Tremendous value when I bought it back in the day. 92 points, which is amazing considering the pros went with high 80’s when they first tasted it. The ’01 Left Bank vintage has outperformed anyones expectations as can be witnessed by this exceptional bottle that is currently running $80 at auction. 5 stars, but drink this delicate juice sooner rather than later. Salut….