Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1982
                Shiraz South Australia RP97
1536        1 bottle   Into neck
1537        1 bottle   Into neck                                 per bottle 330-380

The 1982 is another superb example of that. One of the jammiest, most precocious Granges when it was released, it has never gone through a closed stage and continues to drink beautifully. A full-bodied, opulent Grange, it reveals an inky/purple color to the rim as well as a beautiful nose of crushed blueberries, blackberries, smoke, toast, roasted herbs, and road tar. This dense, plush, expansive, seamless, seductive 1982 has not changed much since I had it nearly a decade ago.
Current Release Cost   www.erobertparker.com December 2010 $US395-$600
Wine Advocate # 183 Jun 2009

                Chateau Canon 1982
                1er Grand Cru Classe Saint Emilion
2348        1 bottle                                                   per bottle 280-320

               
                Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou 1982
                2me Cru Classe Saint Julien RP96
2350        1 bottle   Into neck                                 per bottle 330-380

At a charity dinner in Charleston, SC, the 1982 Ducru Beaucaillou from my cellar was the only corked bottle out of twenty-two. A subsequent tasting revealed one of the all-time great Ducrus, probably matched or eclipsed by several recent vintages (i.e., 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008). The 1982 is still 5-8 years away from full maturity, but it exhibits a dense ruby/plum/garnet color to the rim as well as a sweet perfume of forest floor, spice box, cedar, and copious quantities of black fruits. Medium to full-bodied and beautifully pure with sweet tannins, this wine has aged more slowly than I initially expected. It is the finest Ducru Beaucaillou produced after the 1961 and before the 2003. With respect to the 1990, I do not own any of this wine, but it was the last of a series of vintages between 1986 and 1990 that were affected by the TCA-like contamination in the estate’s chai, which was completely destroyed and then rebuilt, eliminating the source of these smells. Not every bottle is affected by this, but I do not have any source for this vintage. Release price: ($140.00/case)
Current Release Cost   www.erobertparker.com  September 2011 $US260-596
Wine Advocate #183 June 2009

                                Chateau La Conseillante 1982
                Pomerol
2360        1 bottle   Into neck                                 per bottle 300-420

                Chateau Lagrange 1982
                Pomerol
2364        1 bottle                                  
2365        1 bottle   Into neck                                 per bottle 90-130

Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1982
                2me Cru Classe Saint Julien RP95+
2376        1 bottle
2377        1 bottle                                                   per bottle 500-600

                Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1982
                1er Cru Classe Pauillac RP100
2383        1 bottle   Into neck, label & capsule damage                                       per bottle 1200-1700

This wine remains one of the legends of Bordeaux. It has thrown off the backward, youthful style that existed during its first 25 years of life, and over the last 4-5 years has developed such secondary nuances as cedar and spice box. The creme de cassis, underlying floral note, full-bodied power, extraordinary purity, multilayered texture, and finish of over a minute are a showcase for what this Chateau accomplished in 1982. The wine is still amazingly youthful, vibrant, and pure. It appears capable of remaining fruity and vibrant in 2082! Thank God it is beginning to budge, as I would like to drink most of my supply before I kick the bucket. This is a great, still youthful wine, and, on occasion, one does understand the hierarchy of Bordeaux chateaux when you see the complexity and brilliance of this first-growth. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+ Release price: ($350.00/case)
Current Release Cost   www.erobertparker.com  August 2011 $1125-$3201
Wine Advocate # 183 Jun 2009

                Chateau Pichon Longueville Lalande 1982
                2me Cru Classe Pauillac RP100
2384        1 bottle   Very high shoulder
2385        1 bottle   Very high shoulder                  per bottle 500-600

One of the monumental wines of the last century is the 1982 Pichon Lalande. Since bottling, it has flirted with perfection, and was a sprinter out of the gate, which gave rise to questions about how quickly it would begin its decline. However, at age 27, it retains all its glossy, rich, flamboyant cassis fruit, chocolaty, berry jam-like notes, and plenty of earthy, foresty flavors. This is a full-bodied, extravagantly rich Pichon Lalande seemingly devoid of acidity and tannin, but the wine is incredibly well-balanced and pure. It is an amazing effort! Release price: ($110.00/case)
Current Release Cost   www.erobertparker.com  August 2010 $US499-1013
Wine Advocate #183June 2009