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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.4 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 165 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by BellevuePhil on 3/27/2024 & rated 90 points: As an individual accustomed to the finer things in life, I've had the privilege of indulging in some of the world's most exquisite wines. Each bottle tells a story, weaving together notes of history, culture, and passion. Today, I find myself transported back to the enchanting year of 1983, reminiscing about a wine that holds a special place in my heart: the Château Lynch-Bages. This vintage, while not the absolute pinnacle of perfection, evokes memories of a love affair and a journey through the vineyards that forever changed my perception of wine and life itself.
Upon first approach, the bouquet unfolds with an enticing array of aromas. Notes of ripe black currants and dark berries immediately captivate the senses, accompanied by nuances of cedarwood and leather. As the wine aerates, delicate hints of tobacco and spice emerge, adding layers of intrigue to the olfactory experience.
On the palate, the 1983 Château Lynch-Bages displays a harmonious balance of fruit, structure, and elegance. Ripe blackberry and cassis flavors dominate the forefront, intertwining with subtle hints of plum and dried herbs. The wine's supple tannins provide a firm backbone, contributing to its depth and longevity. Velvety in texture, yet exquisitely refined, it coats the palate with a lingering finish that leaves a lasting impression.
Overall, the 1983 Château Lynch-Bages is a wine of remarkable pedigree and character. While it may not represent the absolute pinnacle of perfection, it offers a captivating glimpse into the terroir of Pauillac and the rich heritage of Bordeaux winemaking. As it continues to evolve with age, it serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of one of France's most esteemed estates.
Firstly, let me set the stage for you. Picture me, an adventurer and a lover of the finer things in life, exploring the rolling hills of Bordeaux, where the prestigious Château Lynch-Bages stands as a beacon of excellence in winemaking. It was in the year of 1982 that I stumbled upon this hidden gem, tucked away amidst acres of lush vineyards. Little did I know that this encounter would lead to a love affair as intoxicating as the wine itself.
The 1983 Château Lynch-Bages, with its deep crimson hue and complex bouquet, immediately captivated my senses upon my first sip. Notes of black currant, cedar, and spice danced upon my palate, weaving a symphony of flavors that left a lasting impression. While not the absolute pinnacle of perfection, this vintage possessed a certain allure that kept me coming back for more.
As I savored each sip, I couldn't help but be reminded of a love affair that unfolded the year prior. It was the summer of 1982, and I found myself entangled in a passionate romance with a young wine girl amidst the vineyards of Bordeaux. Together, we would roam the fields barefoot, the earth beneath our feet connecting us to the land and the wine that flowed from it.
Despite the language barrier – for I, a man of upper society and a rock musician, did not speak French – our connection transcended words. She taught me the language of wine, guiding me through the nuances of each vintage with a grace and elegance that left me spellbound. It was through her eyes that I discovered the true essence of Château Lynch-Bages, a wine that mirrored the spirit of the land from which it hailed.
Our love affair may have been fleeting, but the memories we shared amidst the vineyards of Bordeaux remain etched in my heart. And so, as I raise a glass of the 1983 Château Lynch-Bages to my lips, I am transported back to those golden days of summer, where love and wine intertwined in a dance of passion and discovery.
In conclusion, while the 1983 Château Lynch-Bages may not be the best vintage I've ever tasted, it holds a special place in my heart for the memories it evokes. Like a cherished love affair, it reminds me of a time when life was simpler, and the world was filled with endless possibilities. And for that, I am grateful.
The finish of the 1983 Château Lynch-Bages is nothing short of exquisite. As the flavors slowly dissipate, echoes of dark fruit and spice linger on the palate, leaving a sense of satisfaction and anticipation for the next sip. With its remarkable balance and finesse, this vintage is a testament to the timeless craftsmanship of Château Lynch-Bages.
Cheers to the 1983 Château Lynch-Bages – a wine that will forever hold a place in my heart and my cellar.
Note to self: second bottle watery never opened!! (495 views) | | | Tasted by AhSoNice1990 on 3/8/2024 & rated 92 points: Wow! Had this in a big hitting evening line up featuring a Krug 73, Mouton 75 & 80 and La Mission 90 - and this came out tops. Time and time again this estate delivers the goods. L-B has got to be up there as one of the safest left bank bets. Still shocked. (505 views) | | | Tasted by Philip67 on 2/15/2024 & rated 94 points: This is wonderful and surprisingly youthful, still quite primary. Black and red fruits with mushroom behind. Very pure. Structure softening but has carried it to deliver a wonderful wine this evening. Long and complex. Drink now but will last another decade easily. (693 views) | | | Tasted by lucagiupponi on 12/31/2023: Low neck fill, cork in good shape, youthful appearance. Overall great condition. We were impressed by how well this wine showed. There were lots of classic tertiary notes such as grafite, cedar, and cigar box, but the fruit was also still there and showed no sign of fading. A beautiful wine. (888 views) | | | Tasted by Ruminator on 12/21/2023 & rated 92 points: Medium brown garnet. Some sediments. Bricking at rim.
Some leather brett. Strong graphite note throughout. Scents of Tobacco leaf, licorice, salami, and dried flower. Black and red cherry fruit - still vibrant. Emerging savory note in midpalate. Floral and black tea finish with some forest floor note. The tannin is still slightly grippy.
Medium plus body. High acidity. Some unresolved tannin, yet supple texture.
Surprisingly for a 40 year old wine, its fruit is still robust and the structure is also solid, suggesting an ample margin for further development. It's definitely entering a good place. (808 views) | | | Tasted by europat55 on 12/21/2023 & rated 93 points: Nose: 93; Palate: 92; Tasted Blind; My #1, Group's #1 (826 views) | | | Tasted by chablis28 on 12/15/2023 & rated 96 points: Dinner with Jim & Michelene at our place. An awesome flight with Jim's '83 Lynch Bage & my 99 Palmer paired Nita's perfect cast iron 8oz filets! My WOTN and just superb! Classic Pauillac in every way with cigar ash & dark fruit on the nose to the take notice blackberry, mineral, cedar and tobacco leaf on the palate. This is the second time I've had this in the last 2 years and showing no sign of decay. Impressive glass of aged BDX! As a side note Parker didn't even mention this vintage in his 2005 The World's Greatest Wines. It's always good for we wine buyers when a great btl escapes the critic's fawning! I rely way more on our CT community's up to date notes here than the critics. Going to grab one of these if I see it. Thanks Jim! (1133 views) | | | Tasted by seijaro on 9/2/2023 & rated 96 points: Lunch with four cellar orphans, all oldies. The winner was clearly the Lynch Bages, a great big Bordeaux totally mature and just delicious, a delight to drink.
Donna Bob Karen Jim
Lynch Bages 1983: 96 96 96 95 delicious, holds
Beringer Reserve 1994: 94 93 94 94 surprisingly good
Palmer 1979: 93-90 93-90 92-91 89 died in 30 min
BV Latour 1986: 83 gone 83-75 80-78 nearly spoiled, died (1495 views) | | | Tasted by steveiiiiii on 6/22/2023 & rated 95 points: Wonderful! Classic notes of wet forest floor, leather, cigar box... acidity had this fruity sweetness to it that was so juicy and refreshing and made it super long. I just loved it. Double-decanted, slow-ox for three hours, and then drunk over two hours. The last glass showed quite a bit of brett, so I preferred it earlier but definitely needed air to wake up. (690 views) | | | Tasted by blanquito on 4/8/2023: Perhaps the best bottle I’ve had of our “house” Lynch, the 83. Wonderfully complex and aromatic bouquet, quintessentially Pauillac with graphite, leather, sous bois. The palate is resolved but layered and vigorous with enough fruit to compliment the secondary and tertiary nuances. My favorite vintage this night in a Lynch vertical featuring the 83, 85, 86, 88 and 89. 94-95 pts. (1892 views) | | | Tasted by PGIF on 1/26/2023 & rated 93 points: Unexpectedly fresh, still fruity, elegant Bordeaux at 40 years of age. 13% ABV. Very enjoyable. Open for 3 hours without fading. (2026 views) | | | Tasted by RayOB on 12/20/2022 & rated 95 points: Drank at 67
A wonderful bottle beating Latour. There is bottle variation though. (2109 views) | | | Tasted by Collector1855 on 8/1/2022 flawed bottle: This bottle has some musty cellar notes, probably not the best sample. (3720 views) | | | Tasted by Robwild on 7/9/2022 & rated 92 points: Still drinking nicely. Barnyard nose. Soft and supple. Cassis, leather, oak, plum, cherries and vanilla. Good structure with mild tannin. Exceeded my expectation for this almost 40 year old. (2269 views) | | | Tasted by gbauer on 2/4/2022: Excellent showing. Bright garnet. Great fruit and smoke and tertiary flavors. This is why we age Bordeaux. (2478 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 2/2/2022 & rated 93 points: Mixed WTDS at The Kenwood (The Kenwood, Mpls, MN): Very dark red color. PNP, drank a glass over an hour. A nice back up bottle to the '83 Montrose. Herbal nose with lots of pencil and minerality, cassis, and strawberry. The palate is medium full bodied, mineral dense, pencil and herbaceousness dominate, cassis. plum. Fairly well resolved and ready to go, though it should go for another 10 years. 92+ to 93pts. (2546 views) | | | Tasted by chablis28 on 2/2/2022 & rated 95 points: Candice's '83 "backup" for a flawed '83 Montrose at The Kenwood. And, a very nice last-minute PnP backup it turned out to be!! I've tried to buy some of these in the recent past from my fav online store and missed out. I'll keep trying as this was in the pocket and loaded with signature old school aged BDX intrigue, resolve & elegance. Firing on all cylinders tonight with cigar box, forest floor, mature red & dark fruit, mineral and numerous other less easily described nuances. Simply, a pleasure. Loved (this) btl! The next may be another experiences with this much age and varying provenance. Worth a gamble though. I believe the alc was 12.5%. Thanks Candace! (2285 views) | | | Tasted by chatters on 12/17/2021: Bit of cellar stink on the nose initially but this blows off to show earth, wet forest floor, sweet spice, cigar box, cedar, leather, subdued brambles...smells all tertiary but still with a smidge of dark hued fruit. the palate is a reflection of the nose, wetly enjoyable with a bit of tannic grip on the mid palate which is slightly drying, acid is medium plus intensity, a little dusty liquorice on the finish. Goes exceedingly well with fatty, slightly hogget age, lamb... (2161 views) | | | Tasted by jerhardt on 11/6/2021: Perfectly mature. Moderately complex, Elegant, light bodied, and high acid. Not a top aged Bordeaux, but I enjoy it, though certainly a stylistic preference. (2030 views) | | | Tasted by smoothjazz on 10/16/2021 & rated 91 points: 38 yrs old Bordeaux from 1983 which was a decent vintage for the decade. Bouquet of tobacco, leather and dried plum. The wine showed deep purple almost opaque without any oranage rim. Color was of a younger wine, not 38 yrs. Velvet smooth blackberry fruit with medium long finish and subdued tannins. From a case purchased upon release by me in 1986 and cellared for these long years. (1690 views) | | | Tasted by Nanda on 8/26/2021 & rated 93 points: A gorgeous and endearing Bordeaux. Enticing complex aromas of wet cedar, tobacco leaf, cigar box, spice and steeped plum fruit. Totally harmonious on the palate with plush, refined fruit and suave, integrated structure. Long, complex finish. (2263 views) | | | Tasted by apm1023 on 5/30/2020 & rated 89 points: A little life still. Needed 30 min decant and then was ready. Started to decline after two hours (4258 views) | | | Tasted by Verb on 5/17/2020 & rated 92 points: very similar to my last note: dark red with brick rim - beautiful old Bordeaux nose of fully mature blackberry and cassis nuanced by an abundance of complex aromatics including leather, wet hay and lead pencil - full body of blackberries, but not as much of the sweet fruit that I look for in mature cabernet - good acid balance and mature soft tannins - fairly short finish (15-20 sec) with a slightly bitter aftertaste - stilll a very nice example of an underrated vintage (3781 views) | | | Tasted by Matt Neel on 4/11/2020: Well bricked but still with a pretty stunningly dark, opaque core of blood fading red through brick. Iron and steel, graphite — immediately all minerals on nose, but mmm very deep, stick your nose in! Blood iron and castle gates behind murky moats of thyme; a little Louis Vuitton leather, pencils in a rich kid's case; then, with coaxing (and gifted insight from Sam) deeep plum: the last remainder of the big basket of fruit this once carried. The palate tends Napoleonic; Pauillac austerity and authoritarianism: couture cotton cases on military pillows. At first luxurious in its resolved calm, so very regal with elitist balance. But in truth: we’re fully on the back edge of a very good wine. Nice length, iron, graphite, minerals, black plum skins are here, but some cherry charm, any charm, would be nice. It’s all discipline now. Delicious with lamb steaks on Easter. Drink up.
(Popped and poured as a backup. It opened nicely for quite a while. I've had this bottle since I was in college, '88 or '89. Perfect time to open it up and enjoy it with Sam. The cork was wet to the last 1/16". Interesting. EDIT: the cork was so wet and heavy that I weighed it. 10 grams.) (4072 views) | | | Tasted by Headers on 3/20/2020 & rated 95 points: Paired against a 1994 Penfolds Bin 707 and consumed at the Botanic Gardens restaurant (Cheers SJR!) in Adelaide. Decanted and drunk with a 4 course degustation, the LB was WOTN for mine.
Whilst lacking the depth of colour of the Penfolds (which after 26 years was still inky black), the LB inspired from the moment it graced the nose. Not as strong on the palate as the 707 it nonetheless teased the senses with hints of a long and subtle journey to maturation. The 707 started to get into its stride towards the end of the evening, and, I suspect, a long decant might have made WOTN a much tougher call. The LB is drinking beautifully now - the 707 could easily go another 5 years (3750 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Ian D'Agata
Vinous, January 2012
(Chateau Lynch Bages Pauillac) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (5/17/2007)
(Château Lynch-Bages) Mushroom and green bean nose; mature, drying, red fruit and mushroom palate with firm tannins; medium finish 89 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Château Lynch-Bages Producer website - Read more about Chateau Lynch Bages
Vineyard map
BACKGROUND: The wine of Château Lynch-Bages is part of the lineage of the great Pauillac wines. Blended mostly from Cabernet Sauvignon, it combines structure and finesse, elegance and longevity. It is further distinguished by its opulence. Generous right from its youth, it develops more flavours and greater complexity as it matures.
The affirmation of the Lynch-Bages style came with the arrival of Jean-Charles Cazes to head the estate in 1934. An innovative winemaker, emblematic of a new generation of owners willing to break with tradition and taking risks to ensure truly ripe harvests, he was known for often being the last to harvest in Pauillac. From 1945 onwards, the fame of the château emerged thanks to a series of great vintages. Some, despite being considered difficult to grow in Bordeaux, are particularly successful at Lynch-Bages. His wines are characterized by their deep colour, their tannic structure, their controlled concentration and elegant sensuality. The vintages vinified by André Cazes, and after him Jean-Michel Cazes, confirm this trend.
The style of the wines has refined over the years, gaining suppleness and softness, whilst their consistency has been established over time. Then as now, Château Lynch-Bages has been characterised by its extraordinary qualitative homogeneity. Powerful, elegant and open, vintage after vintage, the wine has acquired greater accuracy, adding distinction to the hedonistic character that made its reputation.Red Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanMédoc Vins du Médoc (Conseil des Vins du Médoc) - Read More about the Medoc
VdB
The eight precisely defined appellations of the whole of the Médoc (from Blanquefort Brook to the north of the Bordeaux built-up area, almost to the Pointe de Grave) may claim the Médoc appellation. But there is also a specific territory in the north of the peninsula which produces exclusively wines with this appellation. In the great majority, the Médocs come from the north of the peninsula. The great individuality of this region is that the number of vines has increased more recently here than elsewhere, apart from a few isolated spots where vines have grown for many years. Today, the size of the small estate has brought about the development of a powerful co-operative movement. Four co-operatives out of five belong to the group called Unimédoc which ensures aging, bottling and marketing a large proportion of their wines.Pauillac Read more detailed information about Pauillac Looking full onto the river from the earliest days, with an important port activity, traces of which go back to ancient times (shipment of bronze as long ago as 2000 B.C.), Pauillac's life has always been intimately linked to the history of wine. Although port activities were at the root of its prosperity, Pauillac had to wait until the eighteenth century when Bordeaux ceased to hold its privileged position to become a wine port. The town then became the natural outlet for the wine production of neighbouring cantons before reaching its zenith in a period when the vineyards were exceptionally prosperous.
The characteristic of the Pauillac terroir is its exceptional relief: the many undulating ridges make it unique morphologically speaking. Highly favourable conditions facilitate the dissection of the layer of gravel. This thin, Garonne gravel from whose very poverty springs great richness, has an extremely effective natural drainage.
With their velvet red colour with a hint of amber, the wines from the Pauillac appellation, full-bodied and rich in tannin, are vigorous. Powerful when young, their aromas of red fruits (black-currant, raspberry) or flowers (violets, roses, irises) melt with the passing of time into a bouquet which is long in the mouth.
Rich and complex, the wines of Pauillac deserve to be laid down for a little longer.
Production conditions (Decree dated November 14, 1936)
In order to have the right to the Pauillac appellation of controlled origin, red wines must:
- come from the commune of Pauillac and from precisely defined parcels in the communes of Cissac, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estèphe and Saint-Sauveur, "excluding the parcels situated on recent alluvium and sand on impermeable subsoils",
- satisfy precise production conditions : grape-varieties (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Carmenère, Merlot Noir, Petit Verdot, Cot or Malbec), minimum of sugar (178 grammes - 6.27 oz. - per litre of must) degree (an acquired 10°5) base yield (45 hectolitres per hectare). |
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