1982 Lafite-Rothschild, Pauillac (1.5L)

100DC

98JA

98RP

98VN

96JS

95ST

94WS

$4,599.99

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100

Decanter

Reviewed May 2023

A demure yet confident beauty, the 1982 Lafite is in its prime and will delight anyone privy to an audience. Scents of tobacco, sandalwood and spice box waft with increasing intensity as this sits in the glass, then it floats across the palate leaving a persistent trail of stony minerals: flint and graphite along with preserved cherries are laced with sweet, smoky incense, and radiant acidity gives a perception of weightlessness while shedding light on the wine’s depths. So effortlessly and elegantly framed, and as exquisitely perfect as this is now, there is nothing to suggest it will fade any time soon. (MM)

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Professional Reviews

Jane Anson

Review Date: 10/2023

As is often the case with Lafite, this was the most reserved of the five 1855 1st Growths on opening, showing rose petals and finessed red fruits. It then performed a sleight of hand in the glass, slowly but surely building in concentration and pleasure, layering tobacco, slate, smoked earth, sweet blackberry puree, pencil lead, oyster shell and mint leaf. I last tasted it two years ago, and it has barely budged since, suggesting that there remains many decades ahead. Effortlessly drinkable, a vintage that more than lives up to the legend. Estate director Jean Crété recorded that it was aged in 'primarily new oak', although was not more specific than that (somewhere north of 70-80% is likely). 40hl/h yield, around 10% higher than average, with harvest beginning on September 16, the same date as in 1976. Baron Eric de Rothschild owner, and this was the last year with Emile Peynaud as consultant. Charles Chevallier would also join the following year, in 1983, as deputy technical director.

Wine Advocate

Review Date: 12/2022

The 1982 Lafite Rothschild is at the peak of its powers today, and the two bottles I drank this year were both exceptional. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet red berries and blackcurrants mingled with notions of cedar chest, cigar box, camphor and dried flowers, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, with an effortlessly elegant, harmonious profile and a long, fragrant finish. While this is far from being the most powerful Médoc of the vintage, it is among the most pleasurable. (WK)

Vinous

Review Date: 02/2025

The 1982 Lafite-Rothschild is more backward on the nose compared to the '82 Mouton served alongside, more tertiary in style, with just a hint of liquorice and a subtle, almost algae-like scent (actually quite like spirulina). The palate has exquisite balance and poise, very pure and tensile with a lightly spiced, harmonious classical finish. Understated in typical Lafite fashion but a joy from start to finish. Tasted single blind at the 1982 dinner at Cornus in London. (NM)

Notes

99 points, Georgia Hindle for Decanter: "A mindblowing wine and so Lafite – almost timeless in the sense that they have stayed true to this style today: ethereal, electric and nuanced almost to the point of understatement. On the nose there's aromas of smoked meats, charred cherries, spicy plums, tobacco, floral fragrance, mint and crushed stones. Mouthwatering acidity leads the charge on the palate, so alive and thrilling but still with so much detail. It's graceful, delicate, and not too concentrated or opulent, with perfect weight, balance and poise. A wondrous wine that delivers such pure and joyful drinking pleasure. A flawless delivery and one of the best of the tasting." (8/2023)

Details

Origin	Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Type/Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends
SKU	998155