Reviews & Scores
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. (Drink between 2025-2060) - VM
VM97April 2024
A demure yet confident beauty, the 1982 Lafite is in its prime and will delight anyone privy to an audience. Scents of tobacco, sandalwood and spice box waft with increasing intensity as this sits in the glass, then it floats across the palate leaving a persistent trail of stony minerals: flint and graphite along with preserved cherries are laced with sweet, smoky incense, and radiant acidity gives a perception of weightlessness while shedding light on the wine’s depths. So effortlessly and elegantly framed, and as exquisitely perfect as this is now, there is nothing to suggest it will fade any time soon. (MM) - DC
DC100May 2023
The 1982 Lafite Rothschild is at the peak of its powers today, and the two bottles I drank this year were both exceptional. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet red berries and blackcurrants mingled with notions of cedar chest, cigar box, camphor and dried flowers, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, with an effortlessly elegant, harmonious profile and a long, fragrant finish. While this is far from being the most powerful Médoc of the vintage, it is among the most pleasurable. (WK) - WA
WA98December 2022
A dream year: volume and quality. What was happening? Dry and mild spring without frost. Excellent flowering in June, early. Very dry and very hot summer. A little rain, regular showers, freshness and sunshine in August. September was particularly hot and dry. Very good harvest conditions, early as from 9 September, with a very large crop. Perfectly ripe grapes, sugar, alcohol. Vinification difficult to control because of high fermentation temperatures. In the vat rooms it smelt of hot fruit, jam. Soft, warm, approachable wines were produced, which some even called flattering wines. Not the most concentrated nor long-living 1982 though lovely to drink now. Perfumed, mineral, salty, long and juicy with a slightly drying finish. But overall transparent and nervy with some fine Lafite quality. (Drink between 1998-2030) - JR
JR18May 2018