Tasting Notes
Vinous 90
The 1982 Brane-Cantenac was picked September 15 to October 1. It has a more conservative bouquet compared to the superior 1983, featuring black and red fruit, tobacco, mint and pressed flowers. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition, just a touch of dark chocolate infiltrating the black fruit on the entry. There is a dab of spice and white pepper toward the tertiary finish, which persists as you would expect in a great vintage. This is very fine, even if the 1983 Brane-Cantenac is better. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château.
Anticipated maturity: 2018-2032
Robert Parker 89
Tasted at Roberson’s 1982 tasting. The nose is very thin, rather enervated and one-dimensional at first, growing a little in the glass: raspberry leaf, earth, tobacco and a touch of smoke, unfurling nicely after two minutes with good definition. The palate is medium-bodied, fine acidity and very well balanced, a wine imbued with Margaux femininity. Much better than previous bottles, graceful with a talcum, bitter cherry, dried orange peel and tobacco finish. This is a lovely ’82…but not in the same class as the ’83. Tasted March 2010.
JancisRobinson.com 14
Quite pale. Very light with extremely marked acidity. Bit lean and hollow – in fact almost feral by this stage with a finish that is drying out.
