1982

My 25th birthday is coming up at the end of this month and I would really like to get a bottle of wine with a 1982 vintage to celebrate, but I really don't know where to start looking. I live in Pittsburgh, PA, so having wine shipped to me from out of state is kind of illegal. I'm not too picky about where the wine is from, but I prefer reds, and very little oak. Does anyone know where I should start? Is there some way I can get wine shipped to me (other than through Ebay)? Also (and maybe I should ask this one first), do you know the estimated price range? Thanks in advance!

1982 was an outstanding Bordeaux vintage. The prices will be out of site though. Your local wine shop can probably order a bottle in for you.

Wine searcher reveals three 1982 Bordeaux wines for sale in PA, all for less than I expected.

1982 is a very highly regarded vintage, expecially in Bordeaux, particularly due to one large body of opinion whose advocacy for that vintage of wine launched his stellar career.

I've had mixed luck with the 1982 Bordeaux, myself. Some of the lesser estates fell apart disappointingly fast. On the other hand, I have nothing but praise for the 1982 Pichon-Lalande, which is a monument.

I'm afraid wines from this vintage, especially Bordeaux, are likely to be very expensive these days.

-Paul W.

You might consider Vintage Port. Most of the major houses declared 1980 and 1983, but if I recall correctly, Noval declared 1982. So the 1982 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port might be something to look out for. It should be very drinkable now.

-Paul W.

I see that the PLCB has a Vieux-Chateau-Certan for $177. I had this recently and thought it was very pretty, nicely balanced, with good fruit and spice and a long finish. Light oak; good tannins.

That $20 to $50 more than you might pay in other states.

Also excellent in Champagne, Piedmont, and Tuscany.

I forgot about Piedmont. There are probably still a lot of good Barolos from that vintage that are alive and kicking. I still have some Vietti Riservas.

-Paul W.

You're in big trouble, Lizbeth. You were born in an exceptional vintage year! Me, I'd love to get my hands on some '82 champagne...let's see here...Park Avenue Liquor in Manhattan has an '82 Taittinger for $270...hmmm...not today, thanks.

better 1982 than 1960 as a friend of mine has for his birth year.

On his 40th he opened two first growth Bordeaux from 1960 and both were brown and beyond even contemplating a taste.

I'd second the Piemonte suggestion. Barolo, Barbaresco, even Spanna or Gattinara would be options. Old Barolo etc. can be an amzing or confusing experience, but one that I do like.

regards

Ian

I like even some of the lesser '82 Bdx (Gloria, de Sales, Potensac have all been nice in last couple years), but prices are getting ridiculous.

I like the Piedmont idea. As noted, '82 wasn't a generally declared Porto year, but a few small houses like Martinez made VP. Good thing about Port is its really tough.

better 1982 than 1960 as a friend of mine has for his birth year.On his 40th he opened two first growth Bordeaux from 1960 and both were brown and beyond even contemplating a taste.

I'm a '60. No one I know (other than Francois A., who I believe looks for different things in a wine than I do) has had a '60 Bdx in the last 10 years they thought was good. I've got a '60 Fonseca VP (I've had several, not stunning Port but quite drinkable) and a '60 BV GdlT waiting for 2010.

Of course, the great vintage is the opposite problem. Betsy is a '59, my brother a '61, it HURTS to buy even modest Bdx from those vintages. $$$$$$

I'm a '60. No one I know (other than Francois A., who I believe looks for different things in a wine than I do) has had a '60 Bdx in the last 10 years they thought was good.

I'm a '60 as well. On my 50th I plan to ask Francois to drink one of his 1960 vintage Bordeaux in my honor.

1960 was pretty widely declared for vintage Port, as I recall. Not up to the quality of 1955, 1963, or 1970, but good nonetheless, and likely to be still alive and kicking.

Were there any vintage Madeiras from that year?

-Paul W.

As a fellow 1982, I have had luck with a few relative bargains. Rioja Gran Reservas can be lovely - I've had the Montecillo Gran Reserva Selección Especial several times. At 50€ it is rather expensive, but it is manageable.

For Port, the vintage wasn't too remarkable, but Ferreira did make a very decent effort that year. It is also fairly inexpensive so it's worth trying. It does need a long decanting (6hours+) for the alcohol to integrate.

I've had surprisingly good luck with cheaper Bordeaux from good producers (like Moulin-à-Vent, not the Beaujolais Cru), but I do tend to like old wine characteristics more than many. And fruit is very over-rated - who needs that in wines?

-O-