Beschreibung:

Château Margaux--Vintage 1982
12 bottles per lot
CHÂTEAU MARGAUX The Commune of Margaux possesses eleven classed growths yet none are as celebrated as its only premium cru, Château Margaux. For generation upon generation it has been synonymous with fine claret and is the only one in its classification where the château name and commune are the same. The wine of Château Margaux has graced the presence of Christie's catalogues from the very beginning. On February 8, 1788 Ch Margeau (sic) became the first mention of any Bordeaux vineyard by name in Christie's catalogue with Mr. James Christie himself at the podium selling the wines of the French Ambassador, Count d'Adhemar, at Hide Park Corner. Nearly two hundred years later Château Margaux retains this enviable position in the sale room. The changes of ownership at Margaux have been numerous and for another descriptive reading. Perhaps more noteworthy is that it was once called Lamothe or La Mothe de Margaux and this is of particular interest as it gives us the first clue as to its most distinctive asset, la mothe, the mound or hill of Margaux. The finest vineyards of the Médoc invariably are found on prominent gravel slopes to the west of the river Gironde. These rather exaggerated elevations have many names, 'la Fite' is but regional patois for a mound as is La Mothe (later corrupted into Mouton, hence Mouton-Rothschild) and again with 'Cos' for that great second growth is on a gravelly knoll 60 feet above a lowland marsh. Drainage by association is therefore a key determinant of quality, reducing the amount of rainfall is facilitated by these mounds. However, drainage should not be so efficient that the vines collapse of thirst in the hottest of summers. It is therefore necessary as the saying goes that the finest vineyards have a view of river, not just for drainage and sustenance but also because the vines tend to face the rising and setting sun. Château Margaux is just so situated. Not spot in the Château's vineyard is greater than seventy feet above the river. The product of this cherished location is a style of wine that falls somewhere between Latour and Mouton Rothschild on one side, for Margaux typically possesses 80 Cabernet Sauvignon, and Lafite which can be robust in Merlot. However, its ultimate charm and singularity perhaps lies in its incomparable perfume. Château Margaux--Vintage 1982 Margaux, 1er cru classé Throughout the whole year, the weather conditions were very favourable for the vines and for the ripening of the grapes. After an early flowering, the summer was particularly hot, especially in July and during the first two weeks of September. The grapes reached outstanding ripeness levels with, among other feats, a record concentration in sugar. (The picking began 20th September) This vintage heralded a new era of perhaps unprecedented prosperity for Bordeaux, thanks to a run of extraordinary vintages and the opening up of international markets, the first of which was the United States, together with the Japanese market which was of no small importance. To find a previous vintage of comparable quality, we have to go back to 1961. Tasting note: Twice tasted in cask, first in May (1983) and just before bottling in Sept 1984, and on each occasion dazzled and beguiled, as so often by its fabulous aroma and mouthfilling ripeness. At 10 years of age, its bouquet opened up gloriously in the glass; on the palate, crisp, delicious. Consistently top of the class at several major tastings in the late 1990s, occasionally alongside the outstanding '83, the '82 having more power and less elegance but nevertheless superb with its very fragrant 'hot vintage' scent, sweetness, body, extract and very dry tannic finish. Last tasted Nov 2000 ****(*) MB 12 bottles per lot