This wine has turned out better than I would have thought. It is loosely structured, soft, and easy-going, but lacking the concentration and opulent texture that are hallmarks of the vintage's finest wines. It is revealing some amber, but no other degradation in the color or aromatics. The sweet, herb, peppery, and berry-scented nose is followed by a friendly wine with round, generous, medium-bodied flavors with no hard edges. Although it will not get much better, it will drink well for another decade . It does not hold a candle to the spectacular 1983, which remains gorgeously rich, young, and super-concentrated. Tasted 9 times since bottling with consistent notes.

Not as good as I remember, but pretty and delicious. Medium-ruby in color, with chocolate and ripe berry aromas. Medium-bodied, with medium, velvety tannins and a medium, smooth finish.--1982 Bordeaux horizontal. Drink now. -JS

This wine has continued to surprise me, although it is hardly a profound effort for the vintage. The color shows considerable amber at the edge, but the wine shows nice, sweet cedar, ground pepper, and herbaceous notes intermixed with strawberry and black cherry jam. The wine is medium-bodied and supplely textured with some attractive levels of glycerin still present. It does not have the complexity of the 1983, but there is a fleshiness and lush texture that is very disarming. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 11/00.