Chateau Margaux 1982

WEINWISSER: "Natürlich war das einer der Highlights in der Verkostung. Der ewige Vergleich der beiden Jahrgänge 1982 und 1983, der häufig in die eine oder andere Richtung polarisiert. Dabei sind sie beide ganz gross – aber eben unterschiedlich. Trübes Rubinrot. Herrliches, überwältigendes Bouquet von grosser Fülle, Feinheit und Tiefe. Immer noch enorm druckvoll, intensiv, der perfekte Ausdruck dieses unwiderstehlichen Margaux- Parfüm, das die Herzen seiner Anhänger regelrecht in Wallung bringt. Könnte man es als Parfüm abfüllen, ich würde es sofort kaufen. Hinzu kommen Minze sowie steinigerdige Noten, die an Mineralik denken lassen. Am Gaumen weit ausladend, dabei ungemein feingesponnen, von burgundischer Eleganz und Souplesse, schier verführerisch. Diese royale Eleganz paart sich im grossen Finale mit feinster Lakritz und Frische gebenden ätherischen Noten. Ganz grosses Margaux-Kino, vielleicht auf dem letzten grossen Höhepunkt."

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Karmingranat, dezente Ockerreflexe, breite Randaufhellung. Facettenreiches Bukett, Nuancen von frischen dunklen Beeren, schwarze Kirschen, ein Hauch von Nougat. Saftig, reife Kirschen, feine Extraktsüße, gut eingebundene Tannine, schoko­ladiger Touch, im Abgang dann doch etwas schlanker, Brombeere und frische, präsente Tannine, salzige Mineralität im Abgang, schokoladiger Rückgeschmack. (2019)"

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 1982 Chateau Margaux is glorious stuff and is Margaux in all its finesse and elegance paired to some serious richness, power, and depth. Awesome blackcurrants, smoked earth, lead pencil, truffles, and hints of dried flowers all emerge from this full-bodied, remarkable, seamless effort that is loaded with fruit and texture. With a thrilling sweetness of fruit, perfect balance, and a magical sense of opulence paired with classic Bordeaux elegance, this is Haute Couture at its finest. Its fully mature, but sound bottles should easily keep for another two decades."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Often, I have difficulty deciding over 1983 Margaux, or 1982. Of course, each bottle is different. But over the years, more often than not, I have preferred 1983. Not today! This bottle was pure silk and velvet on the palate. Rich, full, deep, long, and aromatic, with its blend of flowers, tobacco, sweet cherries, and earth, it is was impossible not to be transfixed by the wine. On the palate, all those supple, seductive layers of ripe, sweet fruits had me going from start to finish. Do not over decant, 30 minutes is just fine for this show-stopper."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 1982 Chateau Margaux is a wine that I have tasted many times, constantly contrasted against the 1983 to see which is better. Frankly I found that it depends on the bottle, although maybe the 1983 edges it. But it is important to assess the 1982 on its own individual merits because it is a superb First Growth. This was a great bottle: fragrant and beautifully defined on the nose that on this occasion offered a more conspicuous graphite scent, which lent it a Pauillac-like personality. Allowing the wine to open and aerate, the traits one associates with the property emerge—wilted violets and rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and mineral-laden, that suggestion of candied orange peel on the entry segueing into layers of pure red and black fruit. There is always something effortless about this Chateau Margaux and the pixelation on the finish is up there with the very best. Is it the best 1982 First Growth? No, it's not quite up there with 1982 Latour or Mouton-Rothschild, however, it is a sublime evocation of the vineyard and it will continue to give pleasure for a couple of decades yet. Tasted May 2016."

JAMES SUCKLING: "What a youthful ruby color. And it's fresh and young on the nose with currants, plums, mints, and flowers. A full-bodied red, with slightly tight and firm tannins, it opens to a long and satisfying finish. What freshness. Leave it five years, or decant three or four hours in advance before serving."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Completely different colour from the 1983 – much paler and more evolved, mid ruby. Light nose. Sweet and charming and fully evolved but without the concentration of some of the other wines from the 1980s. A bit dry and dusty on the end. And without great persistence. A little weak compared with the 1983. Great energy but still a bit brutal."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This relies on sheer muscle, with dark, plush layers of warmed fig, currant preserves and charcoal lined with extra notes of roasted vanilla, espresso and bittersweet cocoa. The tannins are ever-so-slightly drying on the finish, and this rumbles more than glides, lacking the full range of perfume and beguiling elegance the greatest Margauxs have.—Non-blind Château Margaux vertical (December 2013). Drink now through 2035. — JM"