Bordeaux, Bottle Notes

1989 Chateau Lynch Bages – Bottle Notes

The 1989 Lynch Bages was the winning bottle in the December installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was decanted for an hour and served with a baked pork loin.

I chose this bottle as 2018 was a difficult and challenging year. I’m looking forward to what 2019 brings and what better way to get the year started than by opening one of the better bottles in my cellar. Lynch Bages has a special place in my cellar which I wrote previously about in Life Lessons, Landmarks and Lynch Bages.

Chateau Lynch Bages dates back to 1728. The winery is located in Pauillac, and is designated a 5th growth as determined by the classification of 1855. In the late 1980’s, the AXA Millésimes group began to develop a portfolio of wine property holdings, and approached Jean-Michel Cazes for help. They established Châteaux & Associates, which Cazes ran until he reached 65, and which by the end of the twentieth century owned many vineyards across Europe. Ownership of Château Lynch Bages, however, remains with the Cazes family.

Crimson in color. 12.5% ABV. Stunning nose of red and black fruits, cedar, cigar box and pencil shavings. Full bodied, concentrated and powerful. Impeccable balance with tremendous length and grip. Creme de cassis, coffee, plums, blackberry and smoke on the palate. The seamless finish seems to linger for an eternity. Timeless Bordeaux that is the embodiment of finesse and class. An unforgettable wine that is nearing 30 years in the bottle. Well stored examples should last to 50 years of age.

My rating: 98 points.

Current vintages of Lynch Bages are some of the best wines being made in Bordeaux and any young collector should buy selectively.

 

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2 thoughts on “1989 Chateau Lynch Bages – Bottle Notes

  1. Terrific review of the ’89 Lynch Bages, Tom! One of my all time favorite wines! Very glad it’s showing so well as it approaches 30 years of age. Your tasting notes are very close to the notes I wrote when I tasted the wine many years ago. Cheers!

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