Grand Puy Lacoste 1982

The 1982 Grand-Puy-Lacoste continues to dazzle. This is in such a good place at the moment. From a regular bottle this time, it has a gorgeous blackberry, cedar and pencil box-scented bouquet that revs up with aeration. Pure & classic. The palate is wonderfully balanced; the tannins have finally polymerized to lend this 1982 the sensuality that it missed a few years ago. Just superb. Tasted blind at Maison François in London.

This is a tour de force, and one of the all-time great Grand-Puy-Lacostes ever produced, as I hope the 2000 and 2005 will become. This is an inky/purple, beefy, broad, super-rich Pauillac revealing classic creme de cassis notes intermixed with hints of spring flowers and crushed rocks. Full-bodied with sweet tannin, shocking concentration, and layers of fruit, this irresistible 1982 is still an adolescent in terms of its evolution. Anticipated maturity: now-2035.

Deep crimson with a thin, pale rim. Very minerally flavours. Not especially intense, but classic and complex. Thick, sweet and dense. Very creditable Pauillac. No hurry to drink. Needs powerful food.Drink 2003-2012.Date tasted 15th July 02.

One of the greatest Grand Puy Lacoste ever produced, the 1982 still possesses a youthful, dense opaque purple colour with slight lightening at the edge. The nose remains somewhat monolithic, but an intense blackcurrant/crème de cassis-scented bouquet is backed up by roasted earth, smoke and mineral notes. Full-bodied, muscular, and powerful, this opulently-textured, moderately tannic, youthful, huge Grand Puy Lacoste will benefit from another 2-5 years of cellaring. However, the wine's sweetness and low acidity provide plenty of joy at present. It will age well for at least another 25 years.