Gruaud-Larose St-Julien 1982

96 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): “I have lost count how many times I have not only tasted this wine, but how many times that I have enjoyed it. Here, this bottle is a little more backward and Pauillac-like in style with vibrant black fruit, crushed stone and a little burnt toast. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. It is beautifully balanced with the vivacity and outgoing personality of Leoville Poyferre ’82. There are lovely tobacco and cooked meat notes towards the long, persistent finish. I have written several times how damn delicious this Gruaud is — so don’t let me bore you again. Tasted November 2012.”

95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): “The 1982 Gruaud Larose has long been one of my favourite Saint Julien wines from that vintage. From magnum, the exquisite bouquet of black fruit, leather and hints of game and antique bureau is fully mature yet vigorous and so joyful. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine tannins that have melted in recent years. Here, there is more red than black fruit, suffused with tobacco, sage and cedar notes, impressive in terms of grip and fanning out gloriously towards the finish. Bottles with sound provenance are à point and will continue to give pleasure for another 20, perhaps 30 years. Tasted at the Lafaurie-Peyraguey vertical in Bordeaux. Drink: 2018-2040. (Dec 2018)”

94 points Wine Spectator: “One of the best wines ever made at this estate. Dense ruby color with a slight amber edge. Intense grape, berry and raspberry aromas. Full-bodied, with loads of velvety tannins and a long, ripe fruit and mineral aftertaste.–1982 Bordeaux horizontal. Drink now. (11/30/98)”

94 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): “Good deep red. Very complex, perfumed aromas of plum, leather, meat and minerals. Sweet, lush and young; really stuffed with fat, meaty fruit. Broad without being really thick, with impressive precision of fruit. The most complex of these three vintages of Gruaud-Larose. Finishes with big, ripe tannins and palate-staining sweet fruit. The young 2000 reminds me of this wine. (A second bottle of equal quality showed roasted currant, tobacco and leather on the nose; a broad, silky palate of compelling sweetness; and a sweetly fruity finish with big, firm tannins and excellent length.) Drink now through 2020. (Jul/Aug 2002)”

Wall Street Journal: “On of the best wines ever from this great second growth, the 1982 is just beginning to reach maturity. It’s very rich and full-bodied with all kinds of secondary flavors evocative of tobacco, cedar and a whole spice drawer full of fine herbs. One of the top wines of the vintage… (7/17/10)”