1982 Château La Lagune

The 1982 La Lagune has a really lovely bouquet possessing much more fruit than the 1978, as you would expect. Here, crushed strawberries dally with raspberry and overripe oranges in a glass vase on a summer’s day, fresh mint emerging with time and all with wonderful definition. The palate is well balanced with supple tannin. There is just a little graininess underneath the carapace of red and black fruit mixed with truffle and sage, fanning out gently towards the black pepper and tobacco stained finish. Drink and enjoy right now. Tasted at the La Lagune vertical at the château.

Unquestionably the greatest La Lagune until the 2005 was conceived, the 1982 exhibits a dense ruby/purple-tinged color along with a big, sweet bouquet of black cherries, licorice, smoky toast, and forest floor, a plush, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and sweet tannin. It is close to full maturity, and should keep for another decade. Release price: ($65.00/case)

Intense cassis nose. Extremely classic, delicate nose – not at all over the top, just extremely elegant with some mineral notes. Great nose, Initially it seemed a little lean on the palate but with time it opened up to something gloriously sweet and broad. When we returned to this wine at the end of dinner, even after the magnificent La Mission, it was still captivating. Something featherlight and Lafite-like about it. What a bargain for those who bought it en primeur. (Alas I bought the 1983 which is similarly elegant but fading now.) (JR)