With a perfect 12% alcohol, as the label says, but I’m guessing it’s near 13%, and costing an average of $1,250 now, the 1982 Chateau Margaux scored 19 Dionysian points on its scale of a possible 20. British wine writer Jancis Robinson gave it 18.5 points. She was almost correct. The vintage was rated a 99-point year. At 34 years old, it is now peaking with leather and cigar box aromas mixed with black fruits. After decanting, it continued to develop for an hour.
Chateau Margaux was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway. All the wines from the Margaux sub-zone of the Medoc, are filled with charming flower aromas and they are ideal dinner wines.
Of all 61 Chateau classified in 1855, Chateau Margaux is the easiest to to learn to love. Thirty years ago, I said I thought the 1983 ‘s were more French and less New World style like the 1982’s were. Now I can say both years will age. In vino veritas.
Spring peas, a grilled steak and rice made the Margaux taste even softer and the protein worked on the tannic acids. Perfect; only lamb chops could have been better.
The last sips after dinner on a cold damp spring evening called for a fire as the bottle was finished with some very good English cheddar.
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