I tasted the 1982 Lynch-Bages twice within a month, both at a private dinner in London and at the château, from bottle and double-magnum on separate occasions. Both vindicate an exceptionally fine 1982, perhaps a bit overlooked in a vintage full of stars. Curiously, the bottle in Bordeaux does not fully deliver the mesmerizing freshness and energy compared to the bottle in London: pencil-lead-tinged black fruit intermixed with clove and freshly-rolled tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, perhaps just a little austere compared to its peers. Yet, indeed, the bottle in London exudes class and composure with a detailed, mineral-driven vintage belying that year's unseasonably warm period. Superb. Tasted both in London at a private dinner and at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2023) — 10 months ago
Tasted blind. Scarlet tawny color, opaque with thin rims. Nice nose with notes of red fruit, cedar desk, dusty earth, mocha, leather saddle and some spices. Good structure with softened but present tannins. Has a nice richness to it. Guessed 86 Cos. This is better than most previous samples I’ve had of this. — 2 years ago
Animal flavor. Leather. Still elegant and acidic. But when opening, cork stripped to inside of bottle. That means. 1982 @, Kai - JH, 190406-190601 — 5 years ago
1982 vintage. Tremendous color. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Throwing respectable sed. Ridiculous body for a 1982, esp considering the Saint-Julien pedigree. Big, initial fruit in the entry palate that carried over into the mid-palate. Thinned out noticeably at the end. Woulda guessed 1990. Have had approx 7-8 '82's this year and they were all consistent throughout with the lean body. This one was a joker for sure. Based on this example, not improving but can leverage the performance for another 3-5 years without significant drop-off. Full disclosure...love older St. Julien reds but not a fan of Branaire. 9.16.23. — 8 months ago
Slightly hazy (poor reflection on my impatient decanting ) but quite deep garnet, wide terracotta rim . Slightly high toned , quite meaty dried mushroom nose, red currant , degraded blackberry and earthy notes. Just a bit rustic and lacks a bit of definition and interest to be honest . On the palate shows better with good poise and roundness, finely judged acidity with , ripe and quite vivid mix of red and dark fruit. Touch of sous bois and grafite , seems younger on the palate than the nose or appearance would indicate. Good persistence too , with rounded still noticeable tannins . Overall an ok showing , and only started deteriorating after 3 hours in decanter , especially considering the upper shoulder ullage, there will be better bottles out there . Drink now and over the next 5 -7 years . — a year ago
I have very little experience with Pomerol let alone aged Pomerol. That is a mistake on my part. Beautiful aromatics of mushroom ,soil and cedar with just a hint of funk that disappeared quickly. In the mouth red fruits and plums are accompanied by tobacco. Balanced with soft but lingering tannins. — 8 months ago
The 1982 Cheval Blanc is a vintage that I have not drunk for a number of years, so this was a pertinent reminder of its pulchritude. It has a flat-out gorgeous bouquet with ebullient red fruit, warm bricks (terracotta), hints of liquorice and strawberry jam. It's the kind of bouquet that you could bathe in. The palate has a ripe entry, voluptuous yet exquisitely balanced, the Cabernet components of this Cheval Blanc quite expressed and more pronounced than I recall. Yet it's toying with you as it segues into a more Burgundy-like final third. Mercurial, sensual and riveting. Tasted at the 1982 Dinner at Hatched. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2022)
— 2 years ago
Doug Powers
Cigar box, black currants, cassis, lovely, somewhat mature fruit, still shows a somewhat firm structure, seems close to fully mature, very long finish, but I’d bet will still hold another decade in a cool cellar, one of the great bargains of the 1982 vintage on release!! — 4 months ago