1990 Lynch Bages

Ex-cellar bottle tasted blind at the Lynch Bages vertical. A supremely well-defined nose with notes of macerated black cherries, cedar, dates, wild strawberry and pencil lead. Very opulent, almost voluptuous and yet still somehow, statesmanlike and regal. The palate is medium-bodied, powerful, firm think chewy tannins, touches of liquorice, very sweet and heady. Lovely wine, though not the breeding of the 1989 although a double magnum poured after the tasting is simply stunning in terms of its precocious fruit, its brashness and joie-de-vivre. Just a touch of volatility but utterly delicious and a double magnum was even more enthralling (98) Drink now-2025+ Tasted September 2009. Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com

Leather and licorice, with baked black fruit and cedarwood, chocolate and perhaps fresh sap too. A phenomenal layered flavour, showing espresso then chocolate then hot spice then blackcurrant and with an underlying lightly floral aromatic persistence. The tannin is really excellent, grainy and tactile, and supports the very lengthy finish perfectly. Very good indeed. Richard Hemming, jancisrobinson.com

This magnificent Lynch Bages has been drinking well since the day it was released and it continues to go from strength to strength. The biggest, richest, fullest-bodied Lynch Bages until the 2000, the fully mature 1990 exhibits an unbelievably explosive nose of black currants, cedarwood, herbs and spice. The majestic, classically Bordeaux aromatics are followed by a full-bodied, voluptuously textured, rich, intense wine with superb purity as well as thrilling levels of fruit, glycerin and sweetness. This beauty should continue to provide immense pleasure over the next 15+ years. Aug 2011, www.robertparker.com