Pauillac 

1993

5th Growth

72% Cabernet Sauvignon
15% Merlot
10% Cabernet Franc
3% Petit Verdot

Region: Bordeaux

ESTATE HISTORY 

The history of Lynch-Bages, situated in the lands of “Batges” at the entrance to Pauillac, is emblematic of the Médoc region. Formerly owned by the illustrious Lynch family, of Irish descent, the estate was acquired by the Cazes family in 1939.

TERROIR

Deep Garonne Gravel: Located on the Bages plateau in Pauillac, the vineyards feature deep river gravel over a chalky subsoil. This composition offered exceptional natural drainage, allowing water from the torrential September rains to drain away from the roots quickly and preventing severe dilution of the grapes.

Topography: The natural slope of the plateau facilitated rapid runoff, keeping the estate's prized Cabernet Sauvignon healthier than vines in lower-lying, flatter areas of the Médoc.

VITICULTURE

Viticulture at Lynch-Bages in 1993 required aggressive crop management to protect the fruit from late-season rain. The team performed a rigorous green harvest in July to drop excess clusters and limit yields, ensuring the remaining grapes could fully ripen. Intensive de-leafing was deployed across the canopy to maximize airflow and sun exposure, which kept the clusters dry and successfully prevented rot when the September storms arrived. Additionally, the vineyard's high planting density of around 10,000 vines per hectare forced the root systems deep into the gravel beds, preserving sugar and tannin concentration despite the wet harvest conditions.

WINEMAKING

In the cellar, winemaking for the 1993 vintage focused on gentle extraction to avoid drawing out green, bitter tannins from the rain-soaked harvest. Jean-Charles Cazes and his team utilized temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for maceration, keeping a close eye on pump-overs to ensure they only extracted the clean, ripe components of the fruit. The wine was then aged in oak barrels, with a reduced percentage of new oak compared to sunnier years, allowing the delicate fruit and the classic graphite character of the Pauillac terroir to express itself without being overpowered.       

TASTING & FOOD PAIRINGS

Now fully mature, the wine reveals a savory profile dominated by classic graphite, dried tobacco leaf, cedar, and cedarwood notes, layered over a lean core of resolved cassis fruit and fine, dusty tannins. Its high acidity and moderate alcohol make it an exceptional match for roasted rack of lamb with rosemary, seared duck breast with a light currant reduction, or a classic beef Wellington. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses like Comté or Gouda, which complement the wine's earthy complexity without overwhelming its elegant, fully evolved structure.

*Please note the image is of a representative bottle. For pictures of the actual bottle please contact us.