2003 Chateau 2003 Lynch Bages 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac: A gem if not a bargain

2003 Lynch Bages: Simply stunning.


I was lucky enough to share a bottle of this last night with a good friend who kindly donated it to the cause at London's finest steakhouse, which offers corkage on a monday.

It needed a couple of hours to open up, even using an aerator. But what a treat.

I can't put it better than Robert Parker himself, who gives it 95 from 100 points:

"This sexy, evolved, dense ruby/purple-tinged 2003 reveals notes of smoke, herbs, black currant jam, licorice and graphite. Full-bodied, opulent and flamboyant, it is another example of a stunning 2003 northern Medoc that can be drunk now or cellared for 10-15 more years. Score: 95"

If you are lucky enough to try this wine, my advice is to decant it for at least two hours before you even take a sip. It changes dramatically as it opens up.

Or you could try Tim Ferris's hyperdecanting technique, but it feels like sacrilege to me.