Forty-plus years on, people still talk about the greatness of the 1982 vintage in Bordeaux. There are multiple factors that contribute to this and it’s fair to say that Robert Parker’s reaction played a major role in the early popularity; certainly in the States. While some may say that 1982 was merely a “good” vintage by today’s standards, I think history has proven it to be empirically special; there was just so much quality from top to bottom. And yet, even with the high praise of the vintage, the tone shifts to hushed whispers when the 1982 Mouton gets mentioned. Up until that point, the Chateau had sort of underachieved after receiving its unprecedented promotion in 1973. But in 1982, a year full of great wine, they created a legend and firmly cemented their First Growth status. Today, I’m pleased to report the plaudits for the ’82 are all warranted.
Opened and double-decanted earlier in the day. The ’82 Mouton pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core with some sediment; almost youthful when compared to many of the other older wines poured on the night. On the nose, the wine is developing still; loaded with cassis, black berries, leaf tobacco, leather, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with fabulous structure. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of power. A stunning wine and well in its prime…a window I expect will remain open for a longtime to come. Drink now with bacchanalian abandon and through 2082. — 5 months ago
A great Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 18 months in French oak, about 50% new, deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, cigar box, lavender and spicy scents. On the palate flavors of black cherry, plum and currants with cacao, floral and minty notes. Fine dusty tannins, long finish ending with fruit, leather, tobacco, espresso and earthy character on a long finish. Very Nice. Will age. — 6 months ago
Loving this vineyard!! Rich fruit. — 6 months ago
Boysenberry and blueberry, some tannins, very rich. — 3 years ago
Agree with those who describe the finesse in this reserve. Long open but worth the wait every time. apparently higher in sangiovese than other vintages and it works just fine. Really nice Antinori offering! — 4 years ago
Opened up a little funny with some top of bottle sediment, but with air got a lot better. A pretty rich almost funky pinot — 5 years ago
Delicious in its youth — 8 years ago
One of my faves. I ordered two half bottles - imagine my delight when I received two full bottles at the half bottle price. — 12 years ago
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Dark inky in color with a reddish rim.
Very pretty nose with black fruits, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, chocolates, coffee, Indian spices, cola and light black tea.
Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, chocolates, toast, light vanilla, dark coffee, Indian spices, light cola licorice and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious 9 year old Merlot from Columbia Valley. Rich and extracted. Spicy and entertaining.
Peaking now and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 3 hours of airtime.
Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Smooth and elegant. Fruit forward and tangy. The high alcohol is well integrated by now.
Good by itself as a sipping wine.
A blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in (85% new) French Oak barrels.
14.9% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$75. — 4 months ago
$55 bucks, spectacular — 6 months ago
Double decanted two nights before service. The 2006 pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of desiccated fruit and funky umami notes: bruised and desiccated strawberry, red rope licorice, nori, Cherry Dr. Pepper, cracked black pepper and leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long and saline; it just hangs around forever. Initially, this came across as bit backward but it really gained power and character the more time it spent in the glass. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 6 months ago
Pours deep rich red. Initial mild dark fruit quickly changes to a quick burst of baking spices and cherries and then changes to a dryness of plums. Some soft tannins on the back. Love the changing layers. — 7 months ago
This is it. Almost perfect pinot noir. Light, but with a leather and vanilla. Fresh with red fruits: a cherry, a raspberry. And something else. But keep it a secret. — 4 years ago
Nice blend. — 8 years ago
@Mike Smith knocks this one out of the park for@the price — 9 years ago
This old Napa wine was superb. The longer the decanting the more flavorful it became. Spicy at first sip with bursts of flavor from dark berries, leathery tannins, currant, earth and strong blackberry. Gains intensity and shows its depth and concentration on the finish, which is long and detailed. — 5 months ago
When the weather gets colder sometimes I drink Bordeaux. Probably one of the best vintages for the Château along with ‘82, and it’s in a great spot. Classic mature Paulliac with terrific complexity, an alluring sweetness and long, balanced finish with fully resolved, silky tannins. Fully open and giving. — 5 months ago
Amazing Yamhill Pinot — 6 months ago
2022 at MOB with John and Eve — 6 months ago
I bought this from barrel tasting at Nickel & Nickel’s luncheon futures, Entrecote En Baguette. Tasted 20 Cabernets and this and the Sori Brico were the two Sofia and I purchased.
Dark currants, medium plus tannins, anise to black licorice, dry leather & tobacco, dry herbs and thick, dark florals that are framed in violets and lavender. — 6 months ago
Bright ruby red color. Bountiful aromas of red berries and dried violets. Pallet is full of strawberry and raspberry fruit with hints of black tea, baking spices, earth and pepper spice. Just a bit of a “gamey” quality as well. Nice hint of oak on the clean finish. Fine tannins and bright acidity. Creamy texture. Rich and nicely rounded. Absolutely a “California-Style” Pinot Noir. Nice choice, Mark Smith. — 2 years ago
yes, this is a photo of a computer image. tasted as part of a Mourvèdre wine group tasting via zoom, wines portioned into woozies. 2018v. super aromatic, raspberry/cranberry juice, fresh leather, violet. palate texture is silky, light but complex and flavorful, acid medium +, long tannins- just a bit of grip. fantastic — 4 years ago
One of my favorites from Turley... Smooth, with beautiful structure... Love the black pepper notes.. — 8 years ago
M+ acid, ripe tropical fruit, Mod alcohol, off-dry. Nice WA example. — 9 years ago
Smooth night for a cab. More like a merlot. — 12 years ago
Yan Gagnon
Tout a été dit et redit sur le Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select et le duo Doug Shafer et Elias Fernandez. Par contre un peu moins sur le Chardonnay Red Shoulder. Il provient du Red Shoulder Ranch dans le district de Carneros au nord de la vallée de Napa. Red Shoulder est une espèce d'épervier qu'on retrouve près du vignoble. Le 2021 est un vin achevé. La robe est jaune claire sans aucun signe de vieillissement. Le nez est complexe avec des notes de gingembre, de citron, de beurre et de vanille. En bouche le liquide est puissant, long, avec les mêmes saveurs qu'au nez avec du fruit de la passion en prime. L'alcool est un peu dérangent en bouche avec ses 14,9%. Ça se goûte ! — 4 months ago