1982 Château Palmer
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Tasting notes
The 1982 Palmer has been inconsistent over the years, a majority indicating that a) they dropped an easy catch and b) it's not a patch on the brilliant '83. This bottle is weird: an off-putting geranium scent on the nose that obscures the fruit, whilst the palate is simple and rather hard, demonstrating some herbaceousness on the finish. This is a poor example of a Palmer that has struggled to stave off accusations that the team screwed up this year. Tasted single blind at the 1982 dinner at Cornus in London.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 1982 Palmer is a vintage that I have rarely encountered since it has always been overshadowed by the 1983, even deemed a failure in some quarters. Now at four decades, it does have a slightly musty, earthy nose that fails to deliver a fraction of the fruit displayed by the 1983. Maybe a touch of corkiness here? The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins that frame the decayed red fruit, quite Right Bank in style with a lovely touch of spice. It coheres towards the finish with black pepper and tobacco notes. Fully mature, I feel that this is a decent 1982, maybe just let down by the nose. Tasted at the Palmer vertical at the château.
Tasted at the Château Palmer vertical in London, the magnum of 1982 Château Palmer is one of the best examples that I have tasted, even if it is no match for the 1983. It is a little curmudgeonly at first, perhaps slightly pinched, but it unfolds nicely and reveals quite mineral-rich, soy-tinged black fruit interlaced with graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin lending this backbone. It is missing some weight towards the finish, but as it opens in the glass, it reveals hidden facets such as tobacco and tertiary notes, allied with poise and finesse. Granted, it falls short of what could have been given the benevolent vintage and quality of its peers, however this magnum suggests that in larger formats might be worth seeking out. Tasted May 2015.
Magnum. Dark ruby with a rust-colour edge. Fragrant, sweet and round though it doesn't taste as though it has that much life left in it now. (JR)
About the producer
Ch. Palmer is one of the finest producers in Bordeaux. The Margaux Third Growth is known for its significant plantings of old-vine Merlot, typically representing a large portion of the blend and responsible for the generous and supple style Ch. Palmer is known for.