Tom Garland

9.4

1 hour decant(lots chunky/fine sediment). A gorgeous inky purplish garnet color. On the nose: dark fruit, forest floor, smoked meat, floral, cigar wrapper, pencil lead. Taste: smooth, rich, creamy mouthcoating wine with blackberry/dark cherry, dark chocolate, earth, tobacco, baking spice, and a cedar/graphite medium plus finish with some slight dusty tannins. Had this 2 years ago, and it's improved. In the beginning of its drink window at 18 years? Wow — 17 days ago

with Brenda

Jay Kline

9.8

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. — 3 months ago

GaryWEdwards

9.5

Big lush, dark fruit that has not reached its peak window yet. But she ain’t far away. I was able to obtain a vertical of 01,02,03,& 04. My first foray into that vertical. No rush on this one but very impressed. Leather, pepper, if not cigar leaf here . Suffice it to say, there is a lot going on here and my lack of Cali knowledge has new intrigue — 23 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

This was on the youthful side that is just beginning to enter its drinking window, silky, polished on the palate with hidden tannins showing dark fruits, plum, cassis, graphite, mocha, spice & tobacco — 3 months ago

Jan A

9.5

Given my "too early" assessment in 2021, I decanted this bottle 6 hours in advance. Beautiful nose of purple fruit / violets. Early drinking window. Good balance. Not spectacular but solid. For my palate this will be the best in the coming 5-10 years when the fruit is still notably present. — 4 months ago

Jason Gelman

9.3

08 is a great year for Lopez reserva - perfect drinking window right now. fruit is beautiful. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Opened and double decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1997 Grange pours a deep purple color with an opaque core moving towards a ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black, red and some blue fruits: blackberries, raspberries, Fig Newtons, tobacco, purple flowers, cocoa, coffee, some mint and other green herbs as well as earth and baking spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is so long and there is remarkable density. I would say this is entering its early drinking window, but just barely. I find these wines need decades to shed their fat and really start to strut. Regardless, this is delicious now with a healthy decant and should drink well through 2057 without breaking a sweat. — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium ruby garnet, still quite young looking , garnet rim . Quite sweet sous bois , with some spice , cedar and earthy cigar notes , almost liquorice hint. Touch smoky on the palate , with a more roasted red fruit hint on the palate . Quite rounded sweet tannin , balanced acidity and ok length . This is at the end of its drinking window apparently, still showing ok , and held up quite well in the glass , shows quite a lot of the warmth of the vintage . It reminded me of the 1990 in that respect, though is overall more complex and longer on the palate than that vintage . Drink now and over the next few years , I don’t see this improving from here. — 4 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium deep garnet , wider terracotta rim . Slightly more rounded , red plum , cranberry, iris, touch of menthol , anis , with sous bois and smoky, herbal touches. On the palate quite delicate , more red sous bois fruited , pretty and saline , slightly meaty notes also . Balanced quite fresh acidity , resolved tannin . Ok length , quite delicate sous bois, grafite tinged finish. This is at the end of its drinking window , though still showing well . Now and over the next 5 years . Quite charming and delicate overall , more aromatic , less austere than the other vintages. — 5 months ago

Bruce Leboff

9.3

Elegant and right in the window. Cigar box and a hint of chocolate. Well balanced and very pleasant. A tinge of dryness on the long finish. — 8 months ago

with Michael and David