wine bottle

1982 Chateau Cantemerle

By Chateau Cantemerle

1982 Chateau Cantemerle from Chateau Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux

The 1982 vintage stands as a towering milestone in the rich tapestry of Bordeaux's wine narrative, and it is within this celebrated year that the 1982 Chateau Cantemerle from Chateau Cantemerle asserts its revered status. A product of a serendipitous confluence of climatic benevolence and vinicultural prowess, this paragon endures as a testament to the Haut-Médoc's enduring patrician grace.

 

Eloquence of Terroir and Time

The epochal 1982 harvest laid the framework for an outstanding expression of character from Chateau Cantemerle. A season bestowed with ample sunlight and just enough rainfall to coax the vineyards into yielding fruit of impeccable balance has resulted in a vintage which now, after decades of maturation, displays an aristocratic poise. The wine’s bouquet is a symphony of blackcurrant, tobacco and truffle – an aromatic triptych that lingers with a commendable persistence.

 

A Vintage to Cherish and Invest

The 1982 Chateau Cantemerle remains one of the most compelling narratives for fine wine investment. With its supple tannins, the vintage glides across the palate with a velvet finesse, underpinned by a bright acidity that heralds longevity. Investors will recognise the prudential pedigree that comes with such a particularly splendid year from Bordeaux.

In terms of cellaring potential, what was once opaque ruby now bears the hallmarks of a gentle garnet hue; yet, the profundity of flavour and structural integrity remain undiminished. Savouring the 1982 Chateau Cantemerle becomes an act of appreciating history through sensory indulgence, where each sip conjures the halcyon days of Bordeaux's most lauded epoch.

In summation, the 1982 Chateau Cantemerle from Chateau Cantemerle encapsulates the Haut-Médoc's ability to transcend temporal boundaries, delivering an investment-worthy libation that resonates with vinous academia and impassioned connoisseurs alike. To miss out on savouring or investing in this exceptional vintage would be akin to overlooking a chapter of enological brilliance within Bordeaux's storied annals.

Current market price

$790.00

12x75cl

Highest score

87

POP score

67.14

Scores and tasting notes

87

This wine has continued to surprise me, although it is hardly a profound effort for the vintage. The color shows considerable amber at the edge, but the wine shows nice, sweet cedar, ground pepper, and herbaceous notes intermixed with strawberry and black cherry jam. The wine is medium-bodied and supplely textured with some attractive levels of glycerin still present. It does not have the complexity of the 1983, but there is a fleshiness and lush texture that is very disarming. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 11/00.

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 31 December 2002

Vintage performance