The Chateau Grillet 1982 was stored properly since release, and it had a sound cork and high fill. Chateau Grillet often was not in top form, in the era when this wine was made; it was noted mainly as being very hard to find and very expensive.
If one values the fresh fruit and floral notes, this wine was on the decline over 20 years ago so far as fruit is concerned. However tasting notes from Michael Broadbent and others show that older vintages could often be very fine and keep well. This wine is not the least bit oxidized, but the initial fruit is all but gone. It probably reached the low point when about 10--15 years old. However with time, secondary tastes and smells have now improved it. It is now very drinkable, but it is not what one would expect from such a famous and high priced wine. The color is light yellow. There is enough acid. The fruit is subdued and mainly of a mixed citrus character. There is some bees wax and a hint of hay or grass character. This wine seems to have the structure to last. Sadly, for many years, it did not reward a long wait enough to be worth it for many tastes. I have read that some think the wines being made at this estate are better now than in the past. However it is still difficult to find, and the price is now extreme. In most cases it would be rewarding to drink this wine quite young. If you age it, long aging seems to be in order to bring out secondary tastes and smells. The worst thing to do seems to be to age it for several years, such as 5 to 15. Of course recent vintages may be somewhat different in this regard.