Our Bordeaux group likes to hit the anniversaries, so we had to do 1982 at 40. A couple of folks had to cancel, but we wrangled a good guy to fill in,and had a full table at Capital Grille near Rock Center . A slow train made John and I a little late, but when we arrived were greeted by 2002 Piper-Heidsieck “Rare” Champagne, which makes up for late train. Full rich style but with excellent acids, pear and lemon with brioche. Perfect wine for a private room (bottle is too gaudy for public) :) A-
I had a wedge salad and porterhouse, table shared bacon, truffle fries, spinach,asparagus,and lobster mac and cheese. Wines were not blind, I think all double-decanted in afternoon.
1982 Gruaud Larose An old favorite, but lotsof variability out there, but this bottle showed at very top of range, Rich and dark cassis fruit, coffee, cedar and just the slightest hint of Cordier funk (a barnyard in the distance). Plenty of gas left in the tank. A-1982 Grand Puy Lacoste Again cassis, this time accented with bell pepper and herbs.Again no hurry, medium framed but with power. B+
1982 Canon Red and black plums, green tobacco, cedar. Good showing B+1982 Magdelaine Some divided opinions on this, but I was heavily on the “uh huh”side of debate, Black cherries, mocha, minty herbs. Not powerful but elegant, excellent length. A-
1982 Figeac I ended up loving this, but it was a strange journey, Smelled fine in a herby Figeac style style when double-decanted in afternoon, and when first poured. Then the herbiness seemed to transform into something musty, and I began to wonder if corked. And then the mustiness just faded away completely. Black plums, herbs, pine needles, and graphite. B+1982 Cos d’Estournel There was nothing wrong with this, but I found it stolid and easily the least interesting wine of the night. Dark liqueur, vanilla, some tannic structure, lower acids. I’ve heard people refer to ‘82s as roasted, not my experience, but maybe a little here. I’d certainly drink but not search. B-/B
1982 L'Evangile Black cherry and plum,cocoa, cigarbox, rich and long. A-/A1982 La Conseillante Paul said first bottle seemed a little wan, so he had very generously opened a second one. This one was spectacular. Exotic but classic at same time, with rick black plum, mocha, leather, and earth. Very long. And the night goes to the Pomerols (for me) A-/A
Great fun, Food was good, wine and company great. We did our usual 6 pt voting Final Votes
1982 Gruaud-Larose 11 pts 1982 Grand Puy Lacoste 4 pts 1982 Canon 3 pts 1982 Magdelaine6 pts 1982 Figeac 1 pt 1982 Cos d’Estournel 0 1982 L'Evangile 11 pts 1982 Conseillante 13 ptsGrade 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.