On the nose boisé and earthy. It reminds of antique furniture and clay pot. In the mouth it still displays a good acidity, solid tannins and a decent aftertaste. Unfortunately, the overall sensory experience can be defined as fascinating and intriguing, but not really as pleasant. Neither in the bouquet nor in the savour.
Most likely, there has been some issue with the specific bottle. The conditions that created the 1982 Bordeaux vintage (famous for launching the career of the world’s most successful wine critic: Robert Parker) were close to perfect from start to finish.
Moreover, according to reports, 1982 has been among the best vintages produced by Thierry Manoncourt, who ran Chateau Figeac from 1947 until his passing in 2010 and assured the lasting quality of this Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru.
I had a similar unfortunate experience five years ago with a Magnum of Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1986, a wine rated 100 points by Robert Parker. A bottle that was still drinkable but flawed.
When experimenting with old wines, this kind of disappointment needs to be accounted for. Sometime they may give a revealing experience, but more often they show some flaws.
To me tasting old wines is well worth the risks. On the one side, it allows me to accumulate a more diverse drinking experience. On the other side, I find old wines very fascinating, even if not always pleasant in a hedonistic sense.
Moreover, I sometime ended up with a unique experience, as I did three year ago with a bottle of Chateau Cheval Blanc 1967, which at 48 was still offering a very clean and enjoyable drinking experience. Or four years ago, when I drank a full bottle of Amarone Bertani 1973, which at 41 was amazing.
The 1973 Chateau Latour, Mouton Rothschild and Cheval Blanc I had five years ago for my 40 also tasted charming to me, although 1973 has been a very mediocre Bordeaux vintage. In this case, I suspect my appreciation was influenced by the fact that 1973 is the year I was born.
According to my experience, old wines are in general not easy to appreciate, mainly because they don’t deliver readily interpretable sensations, they need instead some special consideration. A consideration that is never lacking in the thoughtful friends that own the bottle and share it: Grazie!
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Type: Red
Vintage: 1982
Producer: Chateau Figeac
Price range: Luxury (>100 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5