| | - N.V. Pol Roger Champagne Brut Réserve - France, Champagne
From a Balthazar, good way to get ready for Bordeaux from Imperials. Soft and subtle, easy to enjoy. Everything works well together, nothing outstanding. (87 pts.)
- 1982 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
From Imperial. Moderate nose that was still quite primary. Concentrated black cherry flavors on the palate along with hints of coffee and tobacco. Tannins are seamlessly integrated, also a really nice balance of fruit and acidity. Good length. Long ahead ahead for this wine, at least from 6L bottles! (94 pts.)
- 1982 Château Figeac - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
From Imperial. Great nose of dark fruit and really nice cedar, cigar box elements. similar black cherry flavors on palate with very good balance of fruit, tannins and acidity. More subtle, medium finish. (92 pts.)
- 1982 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
From Imperial. Intense nose of brooding black fruit with some concentrated spices. Same profile on the palate, but with a very powerful tannic backbone. Also very clear acidity. Nice fruit and structure combination provide for a very long, powerful finish. One of the more structured of the 1982s at this dinner, it may also be the wine showing the most upside potential from this point in time. (93 pts.)
- 1982 Château Gruaud Larose - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
From Imperial. Slightly floral nose with aromatics of dark fruit and roasted meat. Big flavors showcasing fresh and dried plum with lots of spice from both oak and fruit. Really nice smoky subtextual elements as well. This was really accessible and probably the most "friendly" wine at the dinner, with a very welcoming long finish. (95 pts.)
- 1982 Château Haut-Brion - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
From Imperial. Given other Tasting Notes I think bottle was a LARGE bad boy. It just didn't show much on the nose or palate, seemingly very muted and short. Mildly corked? (FLAWED)
- 1982 Château Le Gay Pomerol - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
From Imperial. Aromatics were more mushroom than fruit with just a bit of cocoa also in the mix. Flavors also more secondary than primary with smoky black cherry. Really showed more rustic, earthy characteristics than i would expect from any 1982, i found this a bit simple. (85 pts.)
- 1982 Château Palmer - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
From Imperiale. Starts nicely with nose showing more leather and tobacco than fruit. Flavors of black cherry and a bit of plum. But rather short and clipped for the vintage. (88 pts.)
- 1988 Château Climens - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac
From Imperial as well. Lots of botrytis aromas with sweet stone fruit. Honey and apricot on palate, everything balanced and well textured. (92 pts.)
I believe this was the first place where I met Bernard de Laage from Chateau Palmer, one of my favorite people from Bordeaux. I have subsequently met him at dinners and tastings in at least Chicago, Atlanta, New York and Margaux. He must think I follow him around. |
