1982 Bordeaux

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Forty-plus years on, people still talk about the greatness of the 1982 vintage in Bordeaux. There are multiple factors that contribute to this and it’s fair to say that Robert Parker’s reaction played a major role in the early popularity; certainly in the States. While some may say that 1982 was merely a “good” vintage by today’s standards, I think history has proven it to be empirically special; there was just so much quality from top to bottom. And yet, even with the high praise of the vintage, the tone shifts to hushed whispers when the 1982 Mouton gets mentioned. Up until that point, the Chateau had sort of underachieved after receiving its unprecedented promotion in 1973. But in 1982, a year full of great wine, they created a legend and firmly cemented their First Growth status. Today, I’m pleased to report the plaudits for the ’82 are all warranted.

Opened and double-decanted earlier in the day. The ’82 Mouton pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core with some sediment; almost youthful when compared to many of the other older wines poured on the night. On the nose, the wine is developing still; loaded with cassis, black berries, leaf tobacco, leather, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with fabulous structure. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of power. A stunning wine and well in its prime…a window I expect will remain open for a longtime to come. Drink now with bacchanalian abandon and through 2082.
— 11 days ago

Ira, Jan and 25 others liked this
David T

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I picked the Mouton Merlot in 2012 for a day. At the two harvest lunches I attended, they served the 82. Every time they bottle, they take the remaining barrel juice, filter it and then serve the remains at their harvest luncheons for workers & guests. The second lunch I attended, we were seated at the Baroness’s table may she RIP as she passed in 2014. In 2012, they drank the last of the 82.
Jay Kline

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@David T what an awesome story and experience
Bob McDonald

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@Jay Kline I agree re the 1982 Bordeaux vintage. The Chateau Margaux was one of the greatest wines I have ever drunk whereas the Lafite Rothschild was somewhat underwhelming. Bought at the same time from the same shop and stored the same way.

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Silky and refined. Subtle notes of lead pencil and soft chalky red fruit. Very complete and subtle and delicious. Harmonious — 2 months ago

David Schachter
with David
Jay, Shay and 14 others liked this

Vieux Château Certan

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

1982 vintage. Mid-shoulder fill, fully saturated cork. Not decanted. Tasted after 3 hours open. Light body. Earthy nose. Smooth, lean, integrated flavors gliding along to that 35 second finish. Should be able to hold court in this status for another 5-6 years. 7.6.24. — 5 months ago

Jan, Andrew and 13 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Opened earlier in the day and double-decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1982 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) and slightly green compared to the ’82 Mouton that was poured alongside. Cassis, purple Chewy SweeTarts, green bell pepper, old wood, some earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and has massive structure still. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly bitter. Drink now with a long decant but there are decades of life left. — 7 days ago

Ericsson, Ron and 26 others liked this
Vino Joe

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Good to know! How long was your decant? And over how long a window did you enjoy it?
Jay Kline

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@Vino Joe great questions; I have answers. Note updated!

Château Lafleur

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Glossy and beautiful. Luscious slick fruit with rounded dark cherry and hints of dried herbs. Amazingly textured and intense. Wow — 14 days ago

Jay, Tom and 5 others liked this

Château Beychevelle

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

1982 vintage. Last had on 3.1.23 from a magnum (9.4). Top shoulder fill and 100% saturated cork. Subtle nose. Not decanted. Tasted after one hour and two hours open. Color more vibrant than expected. Lean and Beychevelle thin as always. Dusty. Earthy. A modicum of plummy/kirsch flavors. Fading sense of harmony and descending from the top of the bell curve at an alarming rate. If ya got ‘em, drink ‘em. In maggie or even larger format, it wouldn’t be improving so hit in the next handful of years. 11.01.24. — 2 months ago

Daniel, Andrew and 11 others liked this

Château Latour

Le Pauillac de Chateau Latour Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Very pure plummy fruit. A hint of band aid and deep rich iron. From mag — 3 months ago

Matt LichtenbergAmanda Crawford
with Matt and Amanda
Jan, Tom and 7 others liked this

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Saint Guirons Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Cork came out in 3 pieces, but no cork pieces left in bottle. Color is still medium-red, very faint browning on edges, massive cedar and cigar box aromatics, some pencil lead as well shows on palate, medium-weight, lovely balance, long, lingering finish, great older Bordeaux. Purchased at release for a song ($125/case) still have 5 left, this is one of my all-time favorite Pauillacs in the “non-1st, non-super 2d” category, amazing juice!! — 13 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Ira, Paul and 11 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

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I’m amazed you still have any left! I didn’t have the wherewithal to buy many 82s on release or as futures, but what little I didn’t last 10 years as delicious as they were from day 1.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, I did buy a large slug of 1982s, and fortunately I stored them in a friend’s basement in Queens, so they were not easily accessible. And when we moved to California, I had them shipped out but they were stored in Napa, so a good hour drive with limited opening hours. That’s probably what saved the 5-7 cases of 1982s I have left from being consumed earlier. Cheers!!

Pétrus

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Why Not Tasting, Celebrating Life! — 22 days ago

Roman, Jan and 23 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Was gifted this wine by my dad, given to him by friends 15 years ago. I was a little nervous to drink it, as I am not very sophisticated about wine and have never had a wine this aged before... I was surprised at how good it was, though I could sense enough to believe that maybe it had lost some of its structure. I would say it tasted lush to me, and very drinkable. Impressive, and a learning experience for me, for which I was glad to have the opportunity. Thanks, dad!
— 2 months ago