Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Over the last couple of years, I had inclined to the view that the 1986 vintage was eclipsing the 1982 Mouton Rothschild, but two perfectly conserved bottles this year put paid to that hypothesis. One of the emblematic wines of the vintage, offering up aromas of sweet crème de cassis, cigar wrapper, espresso roast, spices and vine smoke, it's full-bodied, broad and enveloping, with a rich core of fruit; ripe, supple tannins; and a long, expansive finish.

One of the three or four very greatest wines of the vintage, the 1982 Latour delivers aromas of dark berry fruit, rich cigar wrapper, loamy soil, walnuts and smoke. Full-bodied, broad and layered, it's deep, seamless and immensely concentrated, its fleshy core framed by sweet, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, expansive finish. A monument to the greatness of Bordeaux, it is one wine that's worthy of all the praise that has been lavished on it over the years. (WK)

Several years ago, I purchased a case of the 1982 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande from a frigid Alsatian cellar where it had lain undisturbed since release, and from these bottles, it continues to very much merit a three-digit score. One of the most flamboyant, sensual wines of the vintage, it offers up a sweet bouquet of blackcurrants and blackberries mingled with notions of orange rind, violets, licorice and pipe tobacco. Full-bodied, supple and enveloping, with melting tannins, ripe acids and a long, cedar-inflected finish, it continues to deliver magical drinking.

A wine that has long enjoyed a somewhat mixed reputation, the 1982 Montrose continues to drink very well at age 40; in fact, this tasting note reflects the best bottle I've ever drunk of this vintage. Exhibiting aromas of sweet berry fruit, cedar box and loamy soil, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, with lively acids, melted tannins and a soft, subtly leather-inflected finish. While it isn't as concentrated or characterful as the brilliant 1989 or 1990, for example, it's a generous, open-knit wine that's far from being in danger of imminent decline. (WK)

The 1982 Cos d'Estournel dominates Saint-Estèphe in this vintage (for my money, its leading competitor is Haut-Marbuzet, by the way). Remarkably youthful and saturated in appearance, it exhibits inviting aromas of sweet berry fruit, plums, licorice and pencil shavings, followed by a full-bodied, fleshy, lusty, almost unctuous palate of notable concentration and depth. Its fleshy core of fruit is still framed by sweet, powdery tannins. (WK)

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 La Conseillante sashays out of the glass with the most gorgeous notes of lilacs, Black Forest cake, kirsch and black raspberries plus nuances of cinnamon stick, dark chocolate and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a firm, finely grained texture with bags of perfumed black fruits and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and very fragrant. (LPB)

The 2021 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Murgers opens in the glass with notes of wild berries, petals, smoked duck and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with fine concentration, lively acids and a cool core of pure, vibrant fruit, it has turned out well. (WK)

Bursting with aromas of raspberries, petals, sweet orange zest, plums and spices, the 2021 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes is medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with lively acids, powdery tannins and a saline finish. (WK)

The 2021 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaumonts is another success, exhibiting aromas of strawberries, licorice, orange oil and sweet forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and vibrant, with an impressively layered core of fruit, melting tannins and a saline finish, it's a strong effort. (WK)

The 2021 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru will also merit a bit of patience. Unfurling to reveal aromas of wild berries, smoked duck, sweet spices, petals and orange rind, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and impressively concentrated, with powdery, youthfully firm tannins and lively acids. (WK)