| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
One of the most sensual, viscerally appealing wines of the vintage is the 1982 La Conseillante, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping Pomerol that wafts from the glass with aromas of minty blackberries, raspberry liqueur, black truffle, sweet soils tones and spices. Supple and expansive, with melting tannins and a long, perfumed finish, it's one of my favorite 1982 Bordeaux today.
Ironically, no 1982 La Conseillante I have tasted from my cellar has been as compelling as ones I have tasted from other cellars. This bottle revealed plenty of amber at the edge, and the wine is a denser, slightly more rustic version of the 1990. Nevertheless, it is an outstanding effort revealing plenty of black currant, kirsch, smoke, herb, and incense characteristics, a full-bodied, voluptuous texture, and melted tannins. My bottle seemed slightly less concentrated than others I have had, but this is still a great, fully mature La Conseillante that is best consumed over the next decade.
I thought that it might have been a little over-decanted. But it was soft, open and very ready. Full body, with lots of spice, chocolate, coffee and blackberry character. At first, I thought it was a little forward but then it seemed to develop on the finish with beautiful fresh fruit. A pretty wine now with a long life ahead.
My problem with this wine is that I suspect the case I bought as futures was somehow slightly damaged in shipment, as none of the bottles from my own collection were very as good as those tasted elsewhere. Tasted four times in 2002, all from other cellars, the wine was absolutely brilliant. This is a candidate that tasted so delicious young, I would have never expected it to be so magnificent 20 years later. Nevertheless, it is an example of how balance and concentration, in spite of extremely low acidity and sweet tannin, can fool even experienced tasters. The wine has not fully matured in more than a decade, and shows no sign of decline. There is considerable amber to the color, but the aromatics are spectacular. Notes of Christmas fruitcake intermixed with jammy black currants, sweet kirsch, toasty oak, licorice, and truffle are stunningly intense and persitent. In th mouth, this is all silk, with a voluptuous texture, almost unctuous thickness to the concentrated fruit, and a long, lush, heady finish. It is a slightly deeper wine than either the 1990 or 1989, but at the same time slightly heavier, no doubt because of the elevated alcohol and glycerin. Nevertheless, this is prodigious stuff. Anticipated maturity: now-2012. Last tasted, 10/02.
This wine has been fully mature for over a decade, yet it contiues to improve with each tasting. It reveals a lighter colour than many 1982s, with noticeable orange and amber at the edge. Spectacular aromatics explode from the glass, offering up scents of toasty new oak, kirsch liqueur, black currants, cedar and licorice. Lush, sexy, and opulent, with a silky entry as well as velvety texture, this plush, seamless, medium to full-bodied Pomerol remains fruity and fresh, with gorgeous intensity and length. While I have under-estimated this 1982's longevity from birth, I would still opt for drinking it over the next 5-8 years.
Big and rich. Dark brick-red color, with a ruby center. Very ripe fruit on the nose, with raisin, dark chocolate and earth. Lots of tobacco and cherry flavors and velvety, slightly coarse tannins.--1982 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2000.
