The 1982 Chateau La Pointe cost about $24 back then, had 12% alcohol and scored 18 points on the 20-point Dionysian scale. It was savored alongside the 1981 Chappellet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that had 13.6% alcohol, cost $16 and scored 18+ Dionysian points.
The La Pointe is a Pomerol, laced with mostly Merlot and comes from an outstanding year. It still had berry fruit and cedar notes. The Chappellet’s nose was black fruit and oak mixed with hints of leather and spice.
My son-in-law was born in 1982 and my daughter-in-law was born 1981. They could reflect on the summer sunshine captured in the wines from the years they were born as we all compared California to France. During the 70’s and 19890’s, they were very close in quality.
Both bottles were the same shade of deep green glass letting you know they could age for 20 years at least. Porto comes in black glass to age for decades. The darker the glass color, the longer you should be able to age the wine. In Vino Veritas.
Broccoli, sweet potato and New York strip steak paired perfectly with the pair of wines over three decades old. Aged big reds help highlight the quality of most foods. Age some wines.
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