Lynch Bages Pauillac 1981

Beschrijving

Chateau Lynch Bages, Pauillac 5ième Grand Cru Classé

Grand Cru Classé – Pauillac

The power and elegance of a great Pauillac

Daring, innovative and with a reputation for often being the last to harvest, Jean-Charles Cazes defined the style of Lynch-Bages in the 1930’s. The wine’s distinctive character has earned it a place amongst Pauillac’s greatest. It combines structure, finesse and elegance, offering generous aromas in its youth and developing deeper complexities with bottle age.

Outstandingly consistent quality

The estate’s reputation as a top quality wine producer took off in 1945 after a series of exceptional vintages. Since then, Lynch-Bages has continued to produce excellent wines, even during years considered difficult in the Bordeaux region. The wine’s deep colour and tannic backbone have become part of its signature style. Jean-Michel Cazes, grandson of Jean-Charles, has worked hard to develop and refine the wine’s supple and smooth structure over the years. Vintage after vintage, the estate’s precise and excellent winemaking techniques have served to firmly establish Lynch-Bages reputation for consistent quality.

This was decanted for a couple hours prior to serving and held on very well. Served blind, the color was none too advanced and while notes of old library, green pepper, tobacco, and redcurrant should have had me in Pauillac, I thought this was perhaps a Pomerol with some faint green notes. Well, the next blind was and it made more sense afterward in context.

One commented that the 81s have shown really well over the years, particularly from cold cellars as they have not been sold and traveled like the 82/85/86s. Perhaps it shouldn’t be thought of as an “off” year.. my sample size is small but I haven’t been disappointed by the vintage yet!