TN : 1976 Chateau Lynch-Bages

WINE TALK
1

Vintage 1976 was not the most prestigious one during the decade of the 1970’s but it did produce some excellent wines. Initially the vintage was thought to be a lightweight by the then critics and the wines were generally grouped as a category of “drink up while the wines still possess some character. Low acidities were the chief culprit in suggesting that the wines would not be for the longer pull.

As 1976 Bordeaux were being released it was a time that I was attempting to build up variety in the Bordeaux section of my cellar, and I purchased some quantities of the second tier wines – Palmer, Lynch-Bages, Leoville Las Cases, Pichon Lalande, and a few others.

A few years ago I decided that the remaining bottles should perhaps be relegated to the BBQ Bin and proceeded to drink many of them up with outdoor grilled fare. By the time I realized that some of these wines did indeed show much better than I had thought, there were just a few remaining. These were restored to active bins and I did take some of them down to my cellar cache at the golf club, where we have enjoyed them from time to time.

Last evening Lorraine and I dined at the club. We hadn’t been there since last Fall, as much of our Winter had been spent in Tucson. Lorraine decided on the rack of lamb as
her main course, while I chose the beef tenderloin.

An orphan bottle of the 1976 Chateau Lynch-Bages ( Pauillac ) remained among my wines and we ventured forth to have the waiter open and decant the bottle.

Good high fill and the long 2 ¼ inch cork was gently removed. Even with decanting some very fine sediment did make its way into the decanter and eventually our glasses.

Medium dark in colour – more deep garnet than ruby; elegant nose a mix of nutmeg spice, some cedar and cassis fruit – running gently up the nostrils but quite deep and lasting; tannins resolved – excellent acidity holding together the frame of the wine; mostly sweet black currant flavours, although I did detect some dark plum also; lingering and satisfying finish, where the fruit is quite pronounced. At 34-plus years this wine has shown remarkable endurance from that so-called “drink up” vintage.

Hank [cheers.gif]

2

I’ve also had good experiences with the '76 vintage recently, and I watch for them at auctions, as the prices are usually good!

3

Not all of the wines from the '76 vintage have developed well, of course, Paul. There are a handful of exceptions that
have weathered time. My earlier openings of the '76 Leoville Las Cases was much shorter than the Lynch-Bages,
but Palmer continues to demonstrate some considerable attraction.

I didn’t expect much response on posting this note but like to do so when the wine shows so much more than
indicated by those early reports from the pundits. Provenance is the key, I think, as to whether the older wines from a light vintage
have what it takes to show well.

Of the older vintages, I really prefer 1983 over the much touted 1982’s, and the '79’s also show some charm. Still have problems with some
of my '75’s and '78’s overcoming their early reticence. These are getting better but way too slow in coming around.

Hank [cheers.gif]

4

great story, Hank. Glad you and Lorraine enjoyed it.
alan

5

I have been drinking my way through a case of 76 lalande and it also is still hanging on. Not the most powerful lalande but elegant and still plenty of fruit.