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From: alan@mtxinu.UUCP (Alan Tobey)
Newsgroups: net.wines
Subject: Re: 1982 bordeaux's
Message-ID: <503@mtxinu.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 9-Jan-86 16:23:40 EST
Article-I.D.: mtxinu.503
Posted: Thu Jan  9 16:23:40 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 11-Jan-86 06:22:42 EST
References: <331@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Organization: mt Xinu, Berkeley, CA
Lines: 28

> 
>  
>  
> >I am compiling a list of wines to assembled into a mixed case and laid to
> >rest for 10 years.  I am looking for wine suggestions which most 
> >characterize the 1982 Bordeaux's.  What is your favorite St. Julien?
> >etc.etc...
> 
> I did this last year and am putting together another with 82's and 83's.
> I recommend a book "Bordeaux" by Robert Parker Jr. of "The Wine Advocate"
> fame.  

Be cautious about trusting Parker's taste, which reflects a very consistent
bias toward "big" wines.  He vastly prefers strong fruity flavors, lots
of guts and alcohol and tannin, and dismisses what some others praise
for elegance and subtlety.  Be ESPECIALLY cautious about his 82 Bordeaux
rankings; his opinions on the vintage and its aging possibilities seem
vastly overblown.  

For what it's worth (I'm not a pedigreed expert but have been consistently
following Bordeaux since the 62 vintage), I think 82s are generally too
over-ripe and raisiny to age well.  The alcoholic hotness of many of them
should be a serious concern.  I've only bought a few Pomerols from 82 to
age; I think this is the only successful region.  Better bets:  81s from
Pauillac and St. Julien, and 83s from almost anywhere in the Medoc.
81s should be maturing by the early 90s; 83s will last you well into the
next millenium.  And a bargain tip: 83 Ch. La Tour de By (Begadan/Medoc),
soft and balanced, $6 in California, a great one for 88-89.