82 Mouton and others

[M Albert Bouffard]

1982 Mouton Rothschild 98 points

Mature disc, but the nose here is clearly still in early adolescence. 3 hours into the decant, a very crunchy dark berry, mineral sort of nose. Rich oak, dense, but requiring a good 5-6 hours to really open up. But oh when it did... Still the rich fruit, but multi-dimensional, tobacco and coffee, a little bit of animal, vaguely floral. Beautiful wine, but I couldn't believe how tannic this was at 30 years old.

Striking, but in a classical way; not as exotic as I usually expect from 82 or from Mouton. But I'm not complaining; this was fantastic. And it didn't cost me a grand, either. The odd thing is that at this age, this is just coming into maturity and will be better in a decade if the cork holds out. Oxidized the following morning - probably best at the 5-8 hour mark.

Warre's 1994 Vintage Port 93

375. Mature. Great nose - figs & prunes, plenty of spice. Rich on the palate with good length. Went beautifully with Stilton and Roquefort. A great way to finish the night.

[Jeff Leve]

I love 1982 Mouton Rothschild! IMO, only 1982 Chateau Latour is better from that vintage in Left Bank. OK, Chateau Lafleur from Pomerol is even better than both! It's amazing how young and fresh Mouton is, even though it's 30 years old! Great minds think alike. I was also lucky enough to taste a bottle last week. My notes are here.... Mouton Rothschild

[Jamie Manley]

Great stuff Marc, cheers!

[Christer Byklum]

I have tasted the 82 Mouton on several occasions, and have never found it to be as young as the one you describe above, or as tannic. More exotic (as you describe) is more my feel for it. In my book, the 86 is better.

[M Albert Bouffard]

Christer, how do you think the 86 is coming along? I have only one bottle and was going to wait at least another decade before opening it.

[Christer Byklum]

I think another decade would be perfect. I had the 86 three times last year, one bottle was not perfet (still very good), the other two magnificent and youthful.

1986 Chateau Mouton Rothschild;
Deep ruby, bright ruby rim, soaked cork, A/B level fill, lots of sediments. Fantastic Pauillac nose, cigars, blackcurants, tobacco, some cedar, very youthfull, complex as few, such delicazy, pure, fantastic balance, supreme structure, soft wall of very ripe tannins, this is almost as close to perfection that there can be, absolutelly fantastic finish, last for so long if the taste wasn't this fantastic, it would be boring. Keep up to 30 more years, maybe more. 98

1986 Château Mouton Rothschild;
Ruby, brick rim, slightly musty, leather, layers, youthful, but lacks quite a bit from my last bottle. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, long. Doesn't excite, a good wine, one would probably not notice if one hadn't had it before, but one might not understand the enigma..... 93

So, what would be the way forward?

Get another bottle! (This sounds like someone I know in Oslo....)

1986 Château Mouton Rothschild;
Ruby, brick rim, it's back! Refined, stunning nose, layered, all youthful and seductive, Pauillac at it's most flirting. Gorgeous texture, fresh, lively, tannins ripe and starting to "melt", enormous length! A bit more restrained than a bottle two years back, slightly younger, everything is here. 99

[M Albert Bouffard]

Thanks Christer. I will be patient... hopefully