Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 30/06/2009
Consistently scoring between 98-100, the superb 1982 Margaux may be slightly bigger, bolder, and more masculine than vintages produced over the last 15-20 years. Its dark plum/purple color is followed by notes of melted tar intermixed with sweet cassis and floral underpinnings. Very full-bodied and dense for a Chateau Margaux, with a slight rusticity to the tannins, it boasts blockbuster power, richness, and impressive aromatics. It appears set for another 30-40 years of life.

At one time I thought the 1983 was the more classic and better effort from Chateau Margaux, but I am human: the 1982 has overtaken the 1983 and is obviously the superior effort. It started off life as a somewhat ruggedly constructed, powerful, masculine, even coarse style of Chateau Margaux with high levels of tannin, huge extract and richness. Increasingly civilised, with the tannin becoming seamlessly integrated, this opaque purple/garnet coloured wine offers up hints of incense, sweet truffles, smoke, blackcurrants, flowers, and damp earth. Very full bodied, with remarkable levels of glycerin, extract and tannin, this is probably the largest scaled, most concentrated Chateau Margaux under the Mentzelopoulos administration. It is doubtful it will ever rival the 2000, 1996, or 1990 for pure finesse or elegance. In spite of these high levels of tannin, it does not appear to have the classicism of these vintages, but this wine goes from strength to strength and is quickly becoming one of the all time compelling effort of Chateau Margaux. Anticipated maturity: now-2035. (98+)

The 1982 Château Margaux was the best bottle that I have tasted and I have been blessed with this wine over twenty times over the years. This boasts wondrous blackberry, raspberry and crushed stone scents that like recent bottles, suggesting a touch of Pauillac at its heart. The palate is defined by its filigree tannins, heavenly balance and scintillating tension that prefer not to convey the warmth of that season, not the high yields it produced. Again, that Pauillac leitmotif continues throughout, conveying a sense of linearity and focus that is unmatched by any previous bottles. On this showing, best-preserved bottles will give another 30 years of drinking pleasure without any problem. Tasted at the International Business & Wine First Growth Dinner at the Four Seasons.

Often, I have difficulty deciding over 1983 Margaux, or 1982. Of course, each bottle is different. But over the years, more often than not, I have preferred 1983. Not today! This bottle was pure silk and velvet on the palate. Rich, full, deep, long, and aromatic, with its blend of flowers, tobacco, sweet cherries, and earth, it is was impossible not to be transfixed by the wine. On the palate, all those supple, seductive layers of ripe, sweet fruits had me going from start to finish. Do not over decant, 30 minutes is just fine for this show-stopper.

The 1982 Château Margaux is a real stunner. An exotic, almost candied bouquet melds into sweet red-hued fruit in a voluptuous, racy Margaux endowed with magnificent purity. Large and ample on the palate, with silky tannins and translucent fruit, the 1982 is rich yet also miraculously seamless. All the elements are in the right place. I followed this bottle over several hours, during which it only improved. The 1982 won’t last forever, but it will deliver thrilling drinking for up to another decade. This is one of the better 1982 Margauxs I have tasted.

What a youthful ruby color. And it's fresh and young on the nose with currants, plums, mints, and flowers. A full-bodied red, with slightly tight and firm tannins, it opens to a long and satisfying finish. What freshness. Leave it five years, or decant three or four hours in advance before serving.

Deep ruby-red. Boysenberry, cassis, toasty oak and bitter chocolate on the slightly dusty nose. Penetrating and powerful; quite dry but almost exotically ripe, with sappy berry flavors complicated by graphite and licorice notes. Finishes very tannic and very long, with a strongly spicy character. 94(+?). Second bottle: Medium ruby. Vibrant aromas of boysenberry, violet and licorice. Pure silk in the mouth, with great sappy verve. Hugely concentrated and compellingly sweet. Utterly spherical wine, finishing with outstanding mounting fruit. Drink now to 2030.

Still loaded up with firm tannins, this is a rich, gorgeous wine, with complex, smoky, pencil lead and graphite notes through the mid palate, before things soften to a cigar box and truffled finish. Cabernet Franc 4% rounds out blend. This stands out better than the 1983 today. Owner Corinne Menzelopoulos was at this point just two years in to her tenure at Margaux (and sharing ownership with the Agnelli family). She will not be surprised by this result - as the last time we discussed these wines, she said the 1983 was a standout for the first few decades but that, slowly but surely, the 1982 has stated to claim its spot. On this evidence, it's fully on the podium. Drinking Window 2018 - 2045
Tasted by Jane Anson (at 67 Pall Mall, 05 Jul 2018)
Part of Bordeaux: The five first growths