Dark/medium ruby and just starting to turn at the rim. Complex and intoxicating bouquet of red and black fruits, cassis, black pepper, cedar, leather, game, truffle, plums and olives. This bottle is showing secondary development without having fully shed its primary characteristics. This “in between” stage is something I’ve experienced only in a handful of wines. Simply fascinating. Full and chewy in the mouth with layers of cherry, plum and raspberry fruit that cascade across the palate, leaving an impression of sweetness. A bit of tannin shows up on a long finish. The pleasure this bottle gave was immensely enhanced by the roast squab that accompanied it. This wine has been drinking well for over a decade, and well-stored bottles should last for many years to come.
Thanks for the note. This is a really nice wine. I first had it at Willi’s Wine Bar in Paris in 1991. Later I bought a bit in an auction. I was always a little worried about the condition of the bottles because they had lower fills than some 82 Chaves I bought from Butterfields. My most recent bottle was great, though. Only one left now.
Thanks for the TN
Did you decant?
Two hours decant and consumed over three hours. The wine was still going strong to the last drop.
Big fan of the 82. Nice. Need to open one soon.
Never had an 82, but I’m a big fan of this wine. Sitting patiently.
1982 Jaboulet La Chapelle is one of the great unheralded vintages, just a notch below 1961, 1978, 1989, and 1990. I bought a bunch for $14 when A & A in Washington DC had a going out of business sale and enjoyed it until I drank the last one a few years ago.
MrBigJ