Lynch-Bages Pauillac 1986

95+ points John Kapon (Vintage Tastings): "Was a great showing for Lynch next to its big brother of a Pauillac. It was drinking spectacularly, to be frank, and was in that just right, wine sweet spot that can last for many years, longer than the average American marriage, that’s for sure. There was great cedar, t ‘n a and a long, beefy Szechuan style about its aromas. Long and smooth with cedar and mineral flavors, its palate was also great. I preferred it to the Mouton on this night yet rated the Mouton higher because of the long-term potential factor. I think Mouton will be the greater in the long run. Go write a post about it. (3/9/07)"

94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 1986 Lynch-Bages is a vintage that I have not encountered for some time. Deep in hue, it has an attractive nose with blackberry, melted asphalt, mint and a hint of gravel in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins considering the vintage. It's powerful but has the elegance that Jean-Michel Cazes made sure his wines had in this decade. Not as austere as some 1986s, this Lynch Bages might lack the fireworks of the 1989 or 1990, but as a precursor to those vintages, it is a might fine Pauillac. Tasted at the château. Drink: 2023-2036. (Jul 2023)"

94 points Robert Parker: "The 1986 is finally emerging from the dormant stage that many of the wines from this vintage (especially the Medocs) have been going through. It is a full-bodied, still backward wine that will appeal to classicists and old line traditionalists given its firm structure and austere tannins. Nevertheless, the color is a healthy deep garnet and the wine exhibits wonderful freshness along with notes of underbrush, damp earth, black currants, cedar and new saddle leather. Well-balanced with good depth, medium to full body, and a tannic (although not excessively so) finish, this may not be the most finesse-styled, elegant Lynch Bages ever produced, but it is an interesting Pauillac that will benefit from another 3-4 years of cellaring. While it may never hit the peaks achieved by great Lynch Bages vintages, it will be one of those rare wines that will last 40+ years. Drink: 2014-2054. (Aug 2011)"

94 points James Suckling (Wine Spectator): "A first-class wine with a powerful backbone. Displays inky color and smoky cherry aromas; full-bodied and balanced with a long finish. Try after 1996. (10/30/89)"

93 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "Ex-cellar bottle tasted blind at the Lynch Bages vertical. Deep garnet colour. This has a lovely nose: much fresher, vibrant black fruits, wild hedgerow, a touch of earth, boysenberry, great definition. The palate is full-bodied, firm, slightly chewy tannins, dense black fruits, a touch of iodine, blackberry, briary, cedar, pine, very well balanced and focused towards its harmonious but grippy, tannic, stout finish. There is undoubtedly a lot of dry extract here. This is finally coming round -- great length and weight on the finish, real density but quite a brutish wine. Drink 2015-2025. Tasted September 2009."

17.5/20 points Clive Coates (The Wines of Bordeaux): "Medium-full colour. Still youthful. Good ripe Cabernet on the nose. Quite a gentle wine for a Pauillac. Medium-full. Lush, balanced. Not the greatest of grip and depth but certainly stylish and very good quality. And quite long enough. Long and fine and lovely. Now-2010. (2004)"