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
No specific notes but very good vintage and a classical Pauillac, ready to drink but no rush. — 15 days ago
Medium ruby , terracotta /garnet rim. Quite round and ripe , red plum , cigar and ripe blackberry, touch of soy . Touch of cocoa , blackberry and ripe dark cherry , black tea . Quite sweet , rich on the palate, generous for Las Cases , slightly dried fruit , fig and red plum . Pretty decent length , balanced but quite discreet acidity , rounded tannins . This is at peak now and I don’t see much up side from here , so best to drink over the next 5 years or so, though it did hold up in the glass quite well . Atypical for Las Cases with its ripe fruit, quite low acidity , sweet tannin: also this only has 42% Cabernet Sauvignon. Overall probably the least successful of the wines in this tasting , but the level overall was very high. — 12 days ago
Medium ruby , terracotta , garnet rim . Quite aromatic , with cedar , tobacco , leafy redcurrant , blackcurrant , wet earth. Slightly rounded and red fruit focused sous bois on the palate , quite high acidity , but refined and red fruit focused. Slightly green tannins , but overall reasonable mineral tinged length . This is at peak , leafy but charming — 8 days ago
Blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, floral spice and smoky cedar notes, aged 12 months in 60% new barrels. On the palate flavors of fresh blackberry, plum and black cherry with cacao, tobacco, licorice and smoky spice. Fine grainy tannins, well balanced on long finish, ending with fruit, cedar, smoke and earthy mineral character. Very nice, but needs a few more years of bottle age to really enjoy! — 25 days ago
Opened earlier in the day and double-decanted to be served several hours later. The 1966 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core. This is red fruit heavy and sanguine with ferrous earth, leather, and old wood. The tannins are firm still. An almost evergreen St-Estèphe that’s iron clad and tough as nails. Better than good but at nearly 60 years old, will it ever relax? Hard to say. It would likely survive another 60 years but it’s hard to imagine it evolving a lot considering where we’re at today. So...drink now, I guess? — 20 days ago
Good god. Peaking right now.
Huge aromatics on the nose. Superb weight, balance and texture. No rush to consume. Cedar and macerated black cherries transition to coffee and hints of maple. Blew me away. In raptures over this. Direct from the winery when I lived in Europe. — 3 days ago
Opened and double-decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1998 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with beautiful, ripe red cherries and a total smoke show in the earth department, giving me an impression of iron-rich earth from an Alpine forest floor. Wonderful stuff. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with the ferrous earth notes doubling down. The finish is long. I would like to have more Figeac in my life. Drink now after a whole heap of air or through 2068. — 5 days ago
Vanessa
On the nose and palate are notes of blackcurrant, crème de cassis, plum, purple fig, dark chocolate covered cherry, black licorice, anise, fennel, clove, nutmeg, cedar wood, cardamom, pencil shavings, graphite, leather, pipe tobacco, cigar, forest floor.
It’s dry with velvety tannins, medium (+) acidity, a medium body, and medium alcohol (13.5% ABV) and a persistent finish. It’s balanced and complex with depth and dimension. It’s providing warmth and deliciousness on this chilly winter night. Cheers! — 11 days ago