Chateau Lynch-Bages

Nestled in the heart of the Médoc region in Bordeaux, Chateau Lynch-Bages stands as a testament to centuries of winemaking excellence. Situated in the commune of Pauillac, this esteemed winery has earned a well-deserved reputation for producing some of the finest wines in the appellation.

The origins of Château Lynch-Bages trace back to the 18th century when it was owned by Thomas Lynch, a Bordeaux merchant of Irish descent. Under his ownership from 1749 to 1824, the vineyard earned its place in history. The estate’s prestige further elevated in 1855 when it was classified as a fifth growth in the Bordeaux Classification, a recognition that solidified its position among the finest wineries in the region.

Today, the Cazes family oversees the operations of Château Lynch-Bages. Their stewardship has propelled the winery to new heights, particularly after a series of exceptional vintages starting in 1945.

The vineyards of Château Lynch-Bages sprawl across a plateau to the west of Pauillac, boasting soils rich in gravel, chalk, and sand. With over 100 hectares of meticulously divided vineyard parcels, the Cazes family has fine-tuned their viticultural practices to match the unique terroir of each plot. Cabernet Sauvignon takes center stage, constituting 68 percent of the planted area, while Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot fill out the rest.

Winemaking at Château Lynch-Bages is a careful and precise process. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats, employing extensive remontage (pumping-over) techniques to enhance concentration and color intensity. The wine then ages gracefully for around 15 months in oak barrels, with roughly two thirds of the barrels being new. An intriguing feature of the estate is the old vat-house with its traditional equipment, allowing gravity flow—a timeless method now embraced by modern winemakers.

The crown jewel of Château Lynch-Bages is its grand vin, predominantly crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, renowned for its structural complexity and intensity. These wines possess remarkable aging potential, often maturing splendidly for 20 years or more.

In addition to the grand vin, the estate also produces the second wine, Echo de Lynch-Bages, formerly known as Château Haut-Bages Averous. Furthermore, wine enthusiasts can savor the rare Blanc de Lynch-Bages, an oak-fermented white Bordeaux blend cultivated from select vineyard parcels west of the estate, offered under the AOP Bordeaux designation.

Beyond Château Lynch-Bages, the Cazes family’s winemaking prowess extends to other esteemed Bordeaux properties, including Cordeillan-Bages in Pauillac, Ormes de Pez in Saint-Estephe, and Villa Bel-Air in the Graves. Additionally, their portfolio encompasses wineries in Minervois and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, along with the Roquette & Cazes label in Portugal’s Douro region, crafted in partnership with Jorge Roquette of Quinta do Crasto.