Côtes De Bourg, Côtes De 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.
— 7 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 Trotanoy

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 1966

Opened and double decanted earlier in the day. This was my first Troty and wow, did this ever make an impression on me. The 1966 pours a pale garnet with a touch of orange but good color still. Predominately red fruited, with sandalwood, tobacco, burnt toast, well-oiled leather ball glove, and earth; truly fascinating stuff. And then, on the palate, it gets even better. It’s structured still and almost made me tear up it was so beautiful. This is a profoundly emotional wine and a true gift to behold in 2024. Drink now because this is special. — 16 days ago

Daniel, Scott@Mister and 14 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

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I have some BDX around this vintage, glad to know they're still going well.

Pétrus

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 1972

Opened and slowed to slow-ox hours prior to service. My first Petrus and even when considering this is the 1972, I can sort of see what the fuss is about. It pours an almost deep amber color with signs of sediment. This is a herbaceous, savory wine with a bouquet of dried flowers, pipe tobacco, Fig Newtons, roasted beef, salmiakki, and old wood. Long and velvety, I can only imagine how impressive these wines are in strong vintages. Drink now. — 16 days ago

Scott@Mister, A. and 14 others liked this

Château Duhart Milon

Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot Blend 2019

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!
— 7 days ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Ira and 19 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. — 3 days ago

Ericsson, Ron and 25 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 Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

From 3L bottle

1 hour decant. A majestic dark garnet color with some bricking. On the nose: perfumed fragrant notes of dark plum, currants, creme brulee, herbaceous, eucalyptus, wet forest floor. Taste: silky, creamy, wonderful coat your palate wine with red plum/cherry, that Cos spice, mineral, graphite, worn leather, and a smokey chocolate coffee medium plus finish. YUM!
— 4 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Ron and 25 others liked this
Ron R

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@Tom Garland, very nice. Cracking such a large bottle, what was the celebration? Happy holidays.
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

x Birth year wine for our son. Not sure if he and his friends appreciated all the qualities of an aged Bordeaux, but my wife and I really enjoyed it. Cheers! and happy holidays.
Ron R

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Wonderful Tom and Brenda. Congratulations to you both and your son. A great way to celebrate for sure…

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

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 — 4 days ago

Andrew, Tom and 7 others liked this

Château Figeac

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1998

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. — a day ago

Lyle, Juan and 10 others liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Opened and double-decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1996 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is developing and loaded with currants, pencil lead, earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and super grippy; slightly bitter and earthy. A lovely, classic expression of Bordeaux and drinking well in its prime. Drink now through 2046. — 3 days ago

Jakub, Tom and 9 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

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You've been hitting all my favorite Léoville lately, so jealous
Jay Kline

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@Severn Goodwin I catching up on some notes from a night with a line-up of bangers from Bordeaux. It was pretty awesome, ngl

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

I had the 2014 Latour a couple of years back. It was from a half bottle and I remember it was rather disappointing. But this wine has really come around. Or maybe it has been developing much better in a full size bottle. Today it’s graceful, with great posture and in perfect balance. A timeless beauty. I had a few 2014 (both left and right bank) lately and I find them very appealing right now. A unsung vintage that turned out pretty good imo. — 19 days ago

Billy, Andrew and 2 others liked this