1982 Château Petit-Village

This wine was so fragile when it was first released that I thought it had to be drunk in its first 10-12 years of life. It was exceptionally low in acidity, and had very sweet tannins, but the wine is still alive - another testament to the mystery of how wines age, and that if there is good concentration, there may be more balance than one initially suspects. This chocolaty, exotic, almost New World style of wine has lost some of its ostentatiousness, but there is still an underlying herbaceous character intermixed with notes of jammy black cherries as well as a succulent texture. There is considerable amber at the edge, and this 1982 would appear to be drying out slightly on the finish. However, I was surprised by just how well it performed. Release price: ($90.00/case)

Sweet, rich and opulent. Full, thick and long. Could be just a tad more appetising. (JR)

A pretty wine, with sweet, ripe fruit and fine caressing tannins but slightly short on the aftertaste. Medium-bodied, with chocolate, berry flavors. Tasted much better years ago.--1982 Bordeaux horizontal. Drink now. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 1998