Domaine de Chevalier 1982

Slightly rustic, but with good concentration of ripe fruit. Brick-red color, with a ruby center. Medium- to full-bodied, with ripe berry and tobacco aromas, rather coarse yet velvety tannins, and a slightly funky aftertaste. -- 1982 Bordeaux horizontal. Drink now.

Moderately saturated medium red. Aromatic nose of leather, coffee grounds and currant leaf, with a distinct green component. Then firm but a bit hollow, with a sour quality and a green edge on the finish. Avoids hardness but gives little pleasure.

One of the worst ’82s in the Grand Cru segment! The 1984 vintage from the same estate is significantly better. The issue lies with the frost that, in spring, killed the emerging buds. The 1982 vintage was produced, to a very large extent, from the second growth. This led to a wine with an oenological green bell pepper character. 93: It’s so green at the moment that it feels like licking a lawn mower. (14/20). 10: Strikingly pale color. Sleek, lots of green, unripe Cabernet notes. On the palate, green bell peppers on the one hand, and still some caramel from the barrique on the other, with floury tannins. The harvest was heavily affected by frost and the grapes were picked from the second growth. And unfortunately, you can clearly feel that.

Thin, green, sweet, muted bouquet with caramel and green wood. Thin, green, muted palate with a bland, lean structure, light finish. 13/20 over

Dark red color. Evolved with a brick note. Good intensity. Bright. Nose of medium intensity. Smoky with an animal hint. On swirling, fruity but simple. Soft attack developing into a round-shaped structure that moves to somewhat marked tannins lacking balance, with a lively edge and a stern note. As a result, the finish is simple and slightly dry. A wine not in line with the vintage. Curious. The explanation comes from the frost of May 10, ’82. Grapes from the first and second generations were harvested together.

Rusty-colored and vegetal, this 1982 resembles green tea more than a serious claret. It is completely dead, and can only get worse. Release price ($110.00/case)