The colour is deep ruby, intense and bright. Despite the 40 years of age, it is only slightly turning into garnet. On the nose surprisingly fruity, mainly red cherries. After some time, the bouquet turns more towards cigar box kind of aromas. In the mouth very smooth. The tannins are ultra-fine. The aftertaste is very pleasant and very long.
This wine has maintained a youthful character. Everything is very balanced. An amazing wine. I was sceptical, but I now understand why Lafite 1982 is so highly regarded.
This bottle is incredible. The best bottle I ever drunk (and I drunk a few đ).
Oftentimes, old Bordeaux wines disappointed me because they didnât deliver the expected value for money. Most likely, they had been kept for too long in a condition that was not ideal. This bottle has instead been stored in a very good cellar. The humidity ruined the label but preserved the wine.
Lafite 1982 is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. The 1982 vintage was an unusually warm growing season that resulted in grapes of perfect ripeness and enormous concentration and richness. In 1982 selection for the Grand Vin was less stringent than it would later become (starting in 1985) and fermentation still happened in large wooden vats (stainless steel tanks were only installed in 1988). The fresh wine aged in new barriques (produced at Lafiteâs own cooperage) for almost two years before bottling.
1982 was the vintage that made Robert Parker famous. 1982 was also the year Michael Jackson released âThrillerâ and âE.T. the Extra-Terrestrialâ came on screen. The first ever movie I saw in a movie theatre. In 1982 I was 9 years old and going to elementary school.
While I drunk this bottle the enjoyment kept increasing, with different waves of flavour along the way. Every single sip has been a great enjoyment.
Iâm very grateful to have had the privilege of tasting such a delicious old wine, thanks to a friend that bought it at AVU for 3â231 CHF (430 CHF a glass).
The price of this bottle when released was 170 FRF (52.50 CHF).
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Type: Red
Vintage: 1982
Producer: Chateau Lafite Rothschild
Price range: Luxury (>100 US$)
Pascalâs Enjoyment Index: 7/5