Nice small group at John’s Tuesday night to take a look at some ‘82 Bdx from less prestigious chateaux, though we expanded it a bit for a few better known properties. Nice spread of cheese and mousse, followed by rich beef and vegetable stew,
1982 Ch. Coufran (Haut-Medoc)
I like Coufran, but a property with rep for early drinking. Well this is doing just fine at 38. A little dank at first pour, but cleans up, solid black plum (John says mostly Merlot) fruit with soft midpalate and quite decent finish. No one knew where Coufran was located, but I guessed based on showing near Margaux (south). Turns out it’s the northernmost vineyard ih Haut-Medoc. Oops B
1982 Ch. Latour de By (Medoc)
This is also not tired, but red fruit with a green/stem tinge and a bit of a clipped finish. It’s actually drinking fine, but a bit austere. B/B-
1982 Ch. Pape-Clement (Graves)
OK, this has a poor rep, and I didn’t love previously. But this bottle showed very well. Sweet exotic (smoke and incense) nose, firm black and red cherry fruit, dirt/gravel.Huge surprise. A-/B+
1982 Ch.Pontet-Canet (Pauillac)
Others liked this more than I did. Certainly very Pauillac with cassis and pencil lead, but it seemed stolid to me. B/B+
1982 Carraudes de Lafite (Pauillac)
I’m not usually a fan of second wines, but may need to reconsider. Another exoic nose, rich and layered on palate. Not super long, but I’d drink this any day. A-/B+
1982 Ch.Rauzan-Segla (Margaux)
This is other one that others liked more than I did. Old fashioned claret nose, deep black cherry fruit, but I thought simple/straightforward compared to others (some others felt opposite).I prefer the ‘83, ‘85, and ‘86. B
1982 Ch. Talbot (St. Julien)
Fresh cassis fruit with cigarbox/ tobacco and leather, just a hint of tannin left, enough acid to balance, nice length. A-
1982 Ch. L’Enclos (Pomerol)
This was the one wine that seemed a bit closed in on itself. Nice ripe black plum fruit, just hints of tertiary notes, I would have liked to revisit if I had time. For now B/B+ but think this could be really good
1982 Ch. Certan de May (Pomerol)
Good showing. Rich, expressive and balanced, cassis and black plum, a little coffee and licorice. Quite long. Young. A-
Really fun night, good company and food, some excellent (and in some cases surprising) showings.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C
drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.