Gregg Siegal

9.2

Big, rich flavors, almost meaty, finish goes on — a month ago

John Malcolm

9.2

An excellent, smooth wine with floral notes. A little less powerful than other vintages I have tried from Lynch-Bages. Cassis, blackberries, blueberries, milk chocolate, a hint of vanilla, and mushrooms. — 5 days ago

Norman Gennaro

9.4

I think I preferred the 2015 but ever so slightly and as much as I struggle to believe glasses make a difference they poured the 2016 in a big cab glass and I think that distracted from the flavors that were evident in the tighter 2015 glass. — a month ago

Kristina Burgers

9.2

Spicy, almost smoky at the start, with a sweet finish that becomes more pronounced after several minutes in the glass — 2 months ago

Amit Srivastava

9.4

Not super big but really well structured and so ready to drink . Opened up nicely with 30-45 mins of decanting . — 15 days ago

Robert Torretti

9.1

Nice example from a troubled era of Ducru. No cork taint, thankfully. Started a little flat on the nose but really got going with time in the glass (had been double decanted earlier in the afternoon). Served with dry aged smoked duck breast with truffled grits, duck egg, fig, honey shimeji and braised endive. — 9 days ago

Inseon Hwang

9.7

Very elegant and distinguished. Bold but no rough edges. Organic bark and wet forest floor. Soft graphite and pencil lead. Smooth finish - a little Smokey. — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, deep dark ruby red, aged for 21 months in French oak (75% new), aromas of ripe fruit, sweet spices and herbs. The palate shows blackberry, juicy black cherries and currants, big, full tannins, complex and well balanced. Complex with notes of leather, tobacco, cacao, espresso and earthy character on a long finish. Very Nice. — 9 days ago

Ivan Wolpert

9.0

Inky in color, jammy, big, plums, light no tannins. Not balanced but big. Steak tasting night at home — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened 24 hours prior and decanted for sediment before returning to the bottle; enjoyed over the course of two days. The 1981 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of tart brambles and plums, green bell pepper, tobacco, leather, all of the decomposing earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, mostly integrated tannins with medium+ acid, borderline high. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Overall, a wine that is a reflection upon the vintage and at 43 years of age, that’s a big compliment. The 1981 is very much alive and will likely live for a very long time. However, it is backward, rustic, and somewhat tough to love unless you’re an old-school masochist. But I’m guilty and this wine is charming despite all of its green character. Drink now and over the next 30 years probably. — 2 months ago