Chateau Haut-Bages Averous 1982

Château Haut-Bages Averous 1982 is a 750ml bottle of fully mature Pauillac Bordeaux — the historic second wine of the acclaimed Château Lynch-Bages. From one of the most celebrated Bordeaux vintages of the twentieth century, this now-rare bottling represents a bygone era: Haut-Bages Averous served as Lynch-Bages' second label for over 30 years before being retired and replaced by Echo de Lynch-Bages beginning with the 2008 vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: Not confirmed for this vintage  |  Origin: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France  |  Vintage: 1982  |  Producer: Château Lynch-Bages (Second Wine)

Production & Heritage

Château Lynch-Bages, a Fifth Growth (Cinquième Cru) estate in the Pauillac appellation of the Haut-Médoc, has roots stretching back to the eighteenth century and has long been regarded as one of the most over-performing properties in the 1855 Classification. Haut-Bages Averous was produced from younger vines and lots not selected for the grand vin. The 1982 blend comprises 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot — a classically Pauillac-weighted composition. The wine was aged for 12 months in one-year-old oak barrels, hand-picked and sorted at the vineyard before vinification using traditional Bordeaux methods.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fully evolved aromatics open with dried tobacco leaves and aged leather, followed by undergrowth, dried fruits, and wisps of cedar. There is a quiet, autumnal complexity that only decades of bottle age can produce.

Taste: The palate is gloriously supple and smooth after more than four decades, with a tannic backbone still lending structure. Cassis and cigar box spice emerge at mid-palate, interwoven with earthy, forest-floor tones. The concentration and richness are unmistakably 1982 — a vintage of extraordinary ripeness in Bordeaux.

Finish: The finish is long and gently drying, with lingering notes of cedar, sweet tobacco, and a trace of dried dark fruit. Tannins have resolved into fine-grained texture, leaving an elegant and contemplative close.

How to Drink Haut-Bages Averous 1982

This is a wine best served slightly below room temperature — around 16–18°C (61–64°F) — and decanted gently for 30 to 60 minutes to allow its evolved aromatics to fully open. Given its maturity and historical significance, drinking neat from a large-bowled Bordeaux glass is the ideal approach. Cocktail use is not recommended; wines of this age and provenance are best appreciated on their own terms or alongside food.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Bordeaux collector or 1982-vintage enthusiast
• Marking a milestone celebration tied to 1982 — a birth year, anniversary, or retirement
• Anchoring a comparative tasting of Pauillac second wines across decades
• Adding a rare, discontinued label to a fine wine library

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Haut-Bages Averous 1982 taste like? At full maturity, this wine shows supple, smooth dark fruit flavors with dried tobacco, cedar, cigar box spice, and an earthy, leather-tinged complexity supported by fine, resolved tannins.

How does Haut-Bages Averous 1982 compare to Château Lynch-Bages 1982? Lynch-Bages 1982 is the grand vin — deeper in concentration, drawn from the estate's oldest vines and best lots, and typically commands significantly higher prices. Haut-Bages Averous offers a lighter, more approachable interpretation of the same terroir and vintage, though the 1982 growing season gave even the second wine notable richness and structure.

Is Haut-Bages Averous 1982 still good to drink? Yes — credible tasting records describe the wine as fully mature and drinking well, though proper cellaring is essential for any bottle of this age. Provenance and storage history should always be verified before purchasing.

Where is Haut-Bages Averous made? Haut-Bages Averous was produced at Château Lynch-Bages in the Pauillac appellation on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, France — one of the most prestigious communes for Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant red wine.

What foods pair well with Haut-Bages Averous 1982? Roast leg of lamb with herbs suits the wine's cedar and tobacco notes. Braised short ribs complement its earthy complexity. Aged Comté or Gruyère cheese echoes its nutty, evolved character. Duck confit bridges the wine's richness and dried-fruit quality. A simple mushroom risotto highlights its forest-floor undertones without overwhelming delicate mature flavors.

What sizes does Haut-Bages Averous 1982 come in? The standard format is 750ml, which is the most commonly encountered size on the secondary market for this vintage.

Is Haut-Bages Averous 1982 worth the price? As a second wine, Haut-Bages Averous historically positioned well below Lynch-Bages in price, but the legendary 1982 vintage and the label's subsequent discontinuation have elevated its collectibility. It occupies a mid-tier value space — more accessible than top-flight 1982 Pauillac but increasingly scarce and sought after by collectors who value provenance and vintage prestige.

Why Haut-Bages Averous 1982?

Three forces converge to make this bottle remarkable: a legendary Bordeaux vintage, one of Pauillac's most respected estates, and a label that no longer exists. The 1982 growing season in Bordeaux produced wines of extraordinary ripeness and concentration across the Left Bank, and even the second selections at Lynch-Bages benefited enormously. Because Haut-Bages Averous was retired after the 2007 vintage, replaced by Echo de Lynch-Bages, surviving bottles in good condition carry historical weight beyond their drinking merit. For anyone seeking an authentic taste of 1982 Pauillac without the premium attached to classified-growth grand vins, this discontinued second wine from one of Bordeaux's most beloved châteaux is a genuinely rare find.