The 1986 Lynch Bages has a knockout bouquet that wraps its arms around you with all its loveliness: pure black cherries, mint and cedar, even a touch of glycerine still there. Vibrant and youthful. The palate is beautifully balanced, crisp and taut, linear but very precise with a fine bead of acidity. You just fall for the harmony of this Lynch Bages, the intensity of fruit that seems undiminished on the finish. Is it up there with the 1989 and 1990? Maybe not, but it is not far behind. Frankly this Lynch Bages is a 1986 Claret that you cannot own too much of and as I commented to Jean-Michel Cazes tasting alongside me, at 30 years of age it still has more to give. Tasted July 2016. - Neal Martin

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. -- Neal Martin

Dark in color, with intense aromas of ripe black cherry, cedar and light herbs. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm tannins and a medium finish. A bit lean today, but there's lots going on here.--Lynch-Bages non-blind vertical. Drink now. –JS