Press Comments 
Robert Parker : The Wine Advocate n°171 - june 2007
Lynsolence 2004 : 90 /100 (up from previous tasting)
"A strong effort for the vintage, the 2004 Lynsolence is one of St.-Emilion's most concentrated and savory wines. (...) This beauty is accessible, but possesses the structure, power, and depth to age nicely for 12-15 years. Bravo!"
Robert Parker : The Wine Advocate n°170 - april 2007
Lynsolence 2005 : 91-94 /100
"This deep ruby/purple-tinged St.-Emilion offers a stunning nose of coffee, blueberries, black cherry jam, smoke, and lead pencil shavings. As one might expect from the natural alcohol achieved, there are high glycerin levels as well as loads of structure and tannin, and nicely intergrated acidity and wood in this powerful, big effort. Anticipited maturity: 2012-2015+."
Robert Parker - Bordeaux En Primeur
Lynsolence 2006: 91-94 /100
"Another sensational garage operation in St.-Emilion, proprietor Denis Barraud's Lynsolence has been performing at a high level of quality for a number of years. The 2006's dense purple color and sweet bouquet of scorched earth, camphor, beef blood, lead pencil shavings, blackberries and cassis liqueur are both outstanding. The complex aromatics are followed by an impressively constituted, full-bodied, concentrated wine with ripe tannin and a long finish. It should be drinkable in 4-5 years, and age nicely for two decades or more."
Les Gravières 2005: 91-93 /100
"It is a wine of huge intensity, purity, richness, balance, and texture, but is not yet revealing much complexity. It appears to have the potential for 15+ years of longevity."
La Cour d'Argent 2005: 87-89 /100
"Sleeper of the vintage"
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate #164
Lynsolence 2003: 92 /100
"A tiny 6.5-acre vineyard planted in light gravel/sandy soils not far from Monbousquet and Valandraud, Lynsolence’s proprietor, Denis Barraud, is an up-and-coming star of St.-Emilion. Made from yields of 19 hectoliters per hectare, the 2003 (100% Merlot that achieved 14.5% alcohol) is an exuberant, flamboyant, modern-styled St.-Emilion displaying an inky/plum/purple color, a big, sweet, ostentatious bouquet (smoke, new oak, blackberries, cassis), low acidity, a dense, chewy personality, abundant fruit and glycerin, and plenty of flesh covering its structural skeleton. Sadly, there are only 525 cases of this gorgeous offering. It can be enjoyed now and over the next 12-14 years of life." (april 2006)
Les Gravières 2003: 91 /100
"Made by proprietor Denis Barraud, the 2003 is a surprisingly strong effort from a soil type that often suffered in this vintage. It boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as a fragrant perfume of black cherries, blueberries, smoke, and a hint of new barriques. Complete in the mouth, with full body, nicely integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol, and a long, heady, reassuringly deep, persistent finish, the 2003 possesses 13% natural alcohol. That component, along with its 100% barrel aging has been soaked up beautifully by the wine’s fruit. Drink it over the next 10-12 years." (april 2006)
Robert Parker - synthesis
"Denis Barraud is an up-and-coming star of St.-Emilion."
Lynsolence 2006: 91-94 /100
"Full-bodied, concentrated wine with ripe tannin and a long finish."
Lynsolence 2005: 91-94 /100
"High glycerin levels as well as loads of structure and tannin, and nicely integrated acidity and wood in this powerful, big effort."
Lynsolence 2004: 90 /100
Lynsolence 2003: 92 /100
"Made from yields of 19 Hl/Ha, the 2003 is an exuberant, flamboyant, modern-styled St.-Emilion"
Lynsolence 2002: 87-89+ /100
Lynsolence 2001: 89 /100
Lynsolence 2000: 90 /100
Lynsolence 1999: 88 /100
Lynsolence 1998: 89 /100
Les Gravières 2005: 91-93 /100
"a wine of huge intensity, purity, richness, balance, and texture."
Les Gravières 2003: 91 /100
"Complete in the mouth, with full body, nicely integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol, and a long, heady, reassuringly deep, persistent finish."
Les Gravières 2001: 90 /100
"Sleeper of the vintage".
Les Gravières 2000: 89 /100
"Sleeper of the vintage".
Les Gravières 1998: 88 /100
La Cour d'Argent 2005: 87-89
"Sleeper of the vintage".
La Cour d'Argent 2003: 85-87
La Cour d'Argent 2001: 85-86
La Cour d'Argent 2000: 87
"A top-notch value in low-prestige, generic Bordeaux. (...) The wine is excellent, with a dark ruby/purple color, notes of mocha, chocolate, black cherries, and cassis in a lush, expansive, ripe style."
La Revue du Vin de France - may 2007
Lynsolence ranked as one of the 5 Strong Buys of the 2006 vintage :
"Very fine nose, with expressive & complex fruit. Superb on the mouth, fine textured and full bodied without a trace of over extraction. The aromas in this brilliantly vinified wine are very long lasting."
RVF Guide 2008 - Classification of the best French wines
(Revue du Vin de France guide)
" Lynsolence 2005 makes a strong impression with its fruit and structure, he might surpass the somptuous 2000. Intense in color, 2004 is vinified with great skill in a modern and full of charm style. Les Gravières 2005 is very promising, with intense fruit. 2004 is a more austere and strict. Haut-Renaissance 2005, with abundant fruit, is a real bargain. " (2008)
La Cour d'Argent 2005 | 14 | La Cour d'Argent 2003 | 13 |
La Cour d'Argent 2004 | 14 | Haut-Renaissance 2005 | 15,5 |
Les Gravières 2005 | 16 | Lynsolence 2005 | 17 |
Les Gravières 2004 | 14 | Lynsolence 2004 | 16 |
Les Gravières 2003 | 15,5 | Lynsolence 2003 | 16,5 |
RVF Guide 2007 - Classification of the best French wines
(Revue du Vin de France guide)
"Supple, dense full bodied, Lynsolence is a superb modern style Saint-Emilion. Sadly there's very little of it. Ch. Les Gravières 2003, is a good and dense Saint-Emilion and there is plenty of it. 2002 is more refined, and 2001 more elegant. Their straight Bordeaux La Cour d'Argent 2004 deserves watching, because it's not every day that you find a delicious Bordeaux with such length." (2007)
Guide Hachette 2008
Les Gravières : ** 2 stars and Specially Selected for the 2004
"The wine is rich throughout the tasting (...) The mouth is fleshy, tasty and well structured with dense, well integrated tannins. A lively and elegant wine."
A further 12 mentions since 1995, specially selected 6 times.
Haut-Renaissance : 1 star for the 2004
"Toasty notes with hints of red fruits lead into a rich mouth-feel well supported by tannins. The tasting finishes harmoniously."
A further 12 mentions with stars since 1995, specially selected 6 times.
La Cour d'Argent : ** 2 stars and Specially Selected for the 2005
"It is set apart by the complexity of its nose of ripe red fruit and dried fruit, with hints of vanilla, spice and liquorice typical of well handled barrel aging. In the mouth, all is power and balance, full bodied and full of fruit with well integrated grape tannins, marked by subtle oak, (vanilla and roasted wood), long finish."
A further 13 mentions (12 with stars) in the Guide Hachette since 1993,
specially selected 3 times.
Guide Hachette 2005-2007
Lynsolence 2003: ** 2 stars
"This is an explosive wine! The typical claret red colour is very dark, almost black. In the mouth, which is extremely concentrated, warm, sappy, full and round, crystallised fruits and fine oak are reinforced by fine tight tannins. Mouthfilling."
Les Gravières: 2 stars for the 2002 vintage
"Good concentration on the nose is reflected in full round vinous power in the mouth."
A further 12 mentions since 1995, specially selected 6 times.
Haut-Renaissance: Specially selected for the 2002.
"Powerful and sappy flavour marrying beautifully ripe fruit and quality oak."
A further 12 mentions with stars since 1995, specially selected 6 times.
La Cour d'Argent: 1 star for the 2004
"Aged 12 months in oak, this merlot (95%) opens on black cherry and toast, and has animal notes. Elegant oak supports the dense round mouthfeel, finishing all on toasty, caressing notes. A Bordeaux which will open out further after two more years of cellaring."
A further 13 mentions (12 with stars) in the Guide Hachette since 1993,
specially selected 3 times.
De Lyne: Specially selected for the 2002
"Very fleshy, vinous and full, this vintage relies on plenty of well integrated tannins to arrive at a spicy, toasty fnish. Very much a high class wine."
A further 11 mentions (10 with stars) since 1993,
specially selected twice.
Jean-Marc Quarin - Tasting notes - synthesis
Lynsolence 2006 : 15,5 /20
"Full bodied with smooth tannins and brigth fruit."
Lynsolence 2005: 16 /20
"A mouthfilling, tasty wine. A success."
Lynsolence 2004: 15 - 15,25 /20
Lynsolence 2002: 15 /20
Lynsolence 2001: 15,25 /20
Lynsolence 2000: 15,5 - 16 /20
Lynsolence 1999: 16 /20
Lynsolence 1998: 16,5 - 17 /20 - Special favourite
"Gentle attack, developping into a silky and elegant mouthfeel. The juicy, careful tannins develop slowly, with a silky character overall, and the airy smoothness of a great wine. The tannins are impeccably enveloped, without opulence, nothing is excessive, nor is there too much wood. Slips down by itself."
Les Gravières 2006 : 14,5 - 14,75 /20
"Smooth and full of aromas. Well done modern wine."
Les Gravières 2005: 14,5 /20
Les Gravières 2004: 14,5 /20
Les Gravières 2002: 14,25 /20
Les Gravières 2001: 15,5 /20
Les Gravières 1998: 14,5 - 15 /20
Guide Gerbelle & Maurange 2006 - Guide to the best reasonably priced wines
Les Gravières 2002: "Mouth: full, tasty, long, well sustained at the finish. A very great success. 9 /10" (Placed second amongst the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru).
Haut-Renaissance 2000: "After being aged 5 years, this wine has found a perfect balance without being diminished. On the mouth it shows good intensity, volume and length. A good full style, perfect as of now. 8 /10"
Wine Spectator
Lynsolence 2003: 90 /100
Lynsolence 2000: 91 /100
"Bright blackberry aromas. Full bodied, with thick, but fine tannins and a long, fruity finish."
Les Gravières 2003: 87 /100
Les Gravières 2002: 88 /100
La Cour d'Argent 2006 (en primeur) : 85-88 /100
VINO Magazine
The VINO magazine's Belgian tasting committee gave a 3 Bacchus award for Château de La Cour d'Argent 2005.
Decanter Magazine - 2005
This celebrated British magazine gave a Bronze award to the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Château Les Gravières 2002.
Stephen Tanzer - International Wine Cellar
Lynsolence 2000: 87-90 /100
"Rich, creamy and seamless in the middle palate, with black cherry, rust and mineral flavors of noteworthy depth."
Lynsolence 1999: 86-89 /100
Revue du Vin de France - March 2006
"Saint-Emilion: Our own classification of the 2006 classed growths"
In the section "Deserve an honourable mention":
Lynsolence 2002 ****: "The relentless work of Denis Barraud, starting in 1998 on this tiny 2 Ha (6 acre) terroir is today bearing fruit. Made from old Merlot vines, Lynsolence, for all that it is a modern style wine, has plenty of character. The mouth is full, but very slender and tight. A surprising wine, the 2002 shines by its breeding and depth. It's a wine that has been created perfectly, with silky elegant tannins. It belongs in the playground of the greats."
In Vino Veritas #115 - Sept/Oct 2005
Lynsolence: "With an attack of spices, of vanilla and red fruit jam, it invites your contemplation. Openness and depth of flavour are key words from the very beginning. Despite average power and a finish showing a touch of bitterness, it benefits from a generous and frank structure. Whether sipped or gulped, there's pleasure to be had here."
Prize Cup of the Saint-Emilion Grand Crus
Blind tasting of 68 Saint-Emilion Grand Crus by 70 tasters.
Château Les Gravières: semi-finalist
(The finalists were Château de Valandraud and Château Rochebelle)
Paris Competition
Les Gravières 2006: Gold medal in 2008
Les Gravières 2004: Bronze medal in 2006
Les Gravières 2002: Silver medal in 2004
Les Gravières 2001: Bronze medal in 2003
Les Gravières 2000: Silver medal in 2002
Les Gravières 1999: Gold medal in 2001
Les Gravières 1998: Gold medal in 2000
Les Gravières 1997: Silver medal in 1999
Les Gravières 1995: Gold medal in 1997
Haut-Renaissance 2006: Silver medal in 2008
Haut-Renaissance 2005: Bronze medal in 2007
Haut-Renaissance 2001: Silver medal in 2003
Haut-Renaissance 2000: Gold medal in 2002
Haut-Renaissance 1999: Gold medal in 2001
Haut-Renaissance 1998: Gold medal in 2000
Haut-Renaissance 1997: Gold medal in 1999
Haut-Renaissance 1996: Gold medal in 1998
Haut-Renaissance 1994: Silver medal in 1996
Haut-Renaissance 1993: Gold medal in 1995
La Cour d'Argent 2000: Bronze medal in 2001
La Cour d'Argent 1999: Silver medal in 2000
La Cour d'Argent 1998: Gold medal in 1999
La Cour d'Argent 1997: Gold medal in 1998
La Cour d'Argent 1996: Gold medal in 1997
La Cour d'Argent 1995: Gold medal in 1996
Bordeaux Competition
Les Gravières 2002: Bronze medal in 2005
Les Gravières 2001: Gold medal in 2004
Haut-Renaissance 2006: Gold medal in 2008
La Cour d'Argent 2004: Gold medal in 2005
La Cour d'Argent 2003: Silver medal in 2004
La Cour d'Argent 2001: Bronze medal in 2002
De Lyne 2005: Gold medal in 2006
De Lyne 2004: Bronze medal in 2005
De Lyne 2002: Bronze medal in 2003
Independant Winemakers' Competition
Lynsolence 2005: Gold medal in 2008
Lynsolence 2004: Bronze medal in 2007
Lynsolence 2002: Gold medal in 2005
La Cour d'Argent 2007: Gold medal in 2008
La Cour d'Argent 2006: Silver medal in 2007
La Cour d'Argent 2005: Gold medal in 2007
La Cour d'Argent 2004: Silver medal in 2005
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