Critic Review
Battle Royale! Bordeaux 1961, 1982, 1990 & 1995
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.
Neal Martin - 98
Past Becomes Now: Lafite-Rothschild 1874-1982 (Apr 2024)
The 1982 Lafite-Rothschild was a bottle with impeccable provenance, having been stored at the renowned La Tour d'Argent restaurant for its entire lifetime before being auctioned. Backward and youthful on the nose, this is intense with black fruit infused with cedar and graphite, gaining delineation with time yet still warning that it's being broached too young. Likewise, the palate is intense, framed by filigree tannins, and delivers the kind of symmetry that leaves you in awe. With a gentle grip on the finish, this is an awesome 1982 First Growth, but it needs more time. Tasted at the Lafite-Rothschild vertical at Ami restaurant in Hong Kong.
Neal Martin - 97
Vinous Table: Charity Dinner to Benefit the Frankie Lemmon School (Mar 2014)
The 1982 Château Lafite-Rothschild, from magnum, is a bit rough around the edges, but still striking in its beauty. Sometimes small imperfections add complexity in a wine. That is certainly the case with the 1982 Lafite.
Antonio Galloni - 96
A Century of Bordeaux: The Twos (Sep 2022)
The 1982 Lafite-Rothschild is a wine I have drunk several times, though maybe this is the first time in magnum. It is deeply impressive. Deep in colour, it has a classic Pauillac nose with intense black fruit mixed with pencil shavings and black truffles. It simply oozes class. The palate is very well balanced with finely-chiselled tannins, spellbinding definition and immense, dare I say it, almost "Latour-like" stature on the persistent finish. Magnificent. Tasted at the 1982 Dinner at Hatched.
Neal Martin - 98
1982 Bordeaux, 20 Years On (Jul 2002)
Good full, deep red. Slightly high-toned, highly nuanced nose of currant, roasted meat, cedar, marzipan, smoke and tobacco. Supple on entry, then firmed by sound acids. Still quite unevolved but seems distinctly less deep than the bottle of '59 I tasted alongside it. A rather muscular style of Lafite, finishing with big, tongue-dusting tannins. Drink 2005 through 2030. 93(+?). My second bottle showed a darker red-ruby color; higher-pitched aromas of redcurrant, cedar, orange peel and coconut; a bright, very tight palate impression, with strong acidity contributing to the impression of steely spine; and a very subtle and very long, firmly tannic finish. This bottle seemed even less evolved than the first sample.
Stephen Tanzer - 95
Looking Back To Go Forward: Lafite-Rothschild 1868 – 2015 (Jul 2018)
The 1982 Lafite-Rothschild can be a variable performer. There was a period when it was dwarfed by Latour. However, two recent bottles demonstrate a wine that perhaps has just taken 30+ years to reach its zenith. The bouquet is very intense with blackberry, cedar, graphite and hints of morels, gathering momentum in the glass, perhaps with just a touch more VA than its peers. The palate is medium-bodied and very fresh, lively and tensile with a fine thread of acidity. There is more cohesion and finesse than bottles encountered a decade ago, and a delicate but firm structure that frames the pure blackberry and cedar notes on the sustained finish. Wonderful. Tasted at the Lafite-Rothschild dinner at Amuse Bouche in Hong Kong and then blind at the Lafite-Rothschild 150th anniversary dinner at the property.
Neal Martin - 97
