Density, power, concentration, this is a full on Pauillac, with a ton of cassis and blueberry, liquorice, espresso, cocoa bean, with an intense muscular tannic frame. Precise architecture, it delivers on the promise that has been building for several years - muscular, ripped, will power for decades. 70% new oak.

In the running for the greatest vintage ever from this château, the 2009 Château Lynch-Bages is pure Pauillac magic, offering a powerful bouquet of blackcurrants, freshly sharpened pencils, smoked tobacco, and gravelly earth. It's full-bodied, has a concentrated, structured mouthfeel, building yet beautifully integrated tannins, and a great, great finish. It's just now at the early stages of its prime drinking window and has another 30 years of prime drinking ahead of it. I wish I'd bought more on release.

A powerful and ripe wine with a wide-screen personality, this makes a very bold statement without becoming a jot heavy. Serious tannins at the long finish suggest this has long-term aging potential. Drink now with a big steak or hold.

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Lynch Bages '09 is a triumph from Jean-Charles Chevalier and his team, putting in a superb performance under tough blind conditions (to the point where I speculated that it could be Mouton!) It has a wonderful controlled and precise on the understated nose - but there is a brooding presence here - the sense of a class act that does not want to be disturbed. Graphite, blackberry and crushed stone unfold with every passing moment. The palate is medium-bodied with a citrus fresh entry. There is very good weight here, primal but supremely well balanced with a gradual build towards the insistent minty finish. Gorgeous. Tasted January 2013.

The medium to deep garnet colored 2009 Lynch Bages is boldly scented of crème de cassis, blackberry pie and baked plums with chocolate box, incense and underbrush suggestions plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, taut and well sustained in the mouth, it has a firm, grainy texture and a lively backbone lifting the black fruit core to a nice long finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Tight and backward this has dense almost chewy layers of fig currant and plum cake behind a very solid wall of cedar roasted vanilla and charcoal notes. There's serious grip on the finish with an iron edge that won't quit. Best from 2015 through 2035. -JM

This is a little more subdued than some right now, needing a good five minutes in the glass before revealing layers of rich olive, cassis, exotic spices, cracked pepper and garrigue. You get the heat of the vintage and the ripeness of the fruit, balanced by muscular, chewy tannins and gorgeous chocolate notes. This is great, although for me the 2010 just pips it. Read more at http://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-lynch-bages-pauillac-5eme-cru-classe-2009-27768#xFxCmtv6qskAqvgc.99

Surprisingly forward for Lynch Bages, as they are usually one of the last wines to open up. But 2009 already displays fabulous character with its layers of ripe, blackberries, black currants, lead pencil, cedar chest, and tobacco notes. Full-bodied, round, concentrated, and with a polish to its tannins, this is already starting to come around. Drink from 2023-2050.95 Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2009&wine=Chateau%20Lynch-Bages

The 2009 Lynch-Bages is very well defined on the nose, yet powerful with ample fruit to spare: blackberry, wild strawberry, cranberry mixed with cedar and a light mint touch. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and lightly spiced with superb focus. It exerts a gentle grip from start to finish, then delivers an engaging, spicy finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent. Tasted at the Lynch Bages vertical at the château. -- Neal Martin