Wine Advisor
Palmer 1982
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Although not an exceptional wine, the 1982 Palmer continues to score higher. While it has always been loosely knit and disjointed, it does display more concentration and richness than I thought. The wine exhibits a spicy, fruitcake-scented nose, low acidity, succulent, jammy fruit flavors, medium to full body, and a soft finish. Drinkable, yet unevolved aromatically, it will develop further and last longer than I predicted. It should be consumed over the next 10-15 years. Last tasted, 5/93.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This wine has turned out far better than predicted. The 1982 has become more delineated and put on weight. The 1982 is a juicy, complex, Pomerol-inspired effort with abundant black cherry and black currant fruit presented in a medium to full-bodied, plump, straightforward style. Fleshy, fresh, and lively, it should be consumed over the next 7-10 years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Other than Chateau Margaux, the 1982 Palmer is the strongest wine from what was the weakest appellation of the vintage, Margaux. Keep in mind that today, the classified-growth Margaux estates are all making fine wines (Brane-Cantenac, Malescot St.-Exupery, d’Issan, etc.), but when the 1982 was conceived, most of these properties made mediocre wines. Palmer, which seemed very loosely structured, and lacking concentration as well as tannin when it was first tasted, has firmed up, put on some weight, and reveals a slightly rustic edge. It possesses a deep garnet color to the rim along with plenty of sweet black fruit, charcoal, herb, and licorice characteristics. Medium to full-bodied, flavorful, and surprisingly well-endowed, it should drink nicely for another 10-15 years. Release price: ($275.00/case)
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1982 Palmer has turned out better than I had predicted. It has always been a loosely knit, diffuse, but flavorful wine with low acidity, and plenty of soft, ripe black fruits intermixed with scents of flowers and herbs. Sweet, generous, and fleshy, without much grip, this medium-bodied, fully mature wine should continue to drink well for another decade. Very charming and delicious! Tasted 6 times since bottling with consistent notes.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Medium+ garnet-brick colour. Mainly dusty / musty, leathery aromas with some appealing notes of dried cranberries, dried Mediterranean herbs, cloves and pot pourri. The medium to full bodied palate gives medium to high acidity and medium to firm tannins with a good amount of evolved fruit and spice flavours. Long finish.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at my farewell party at Saint John restaurant. A moderate garnet hue with brick rim. The nose is rather enervated, but clean with faint strawberry, cherry and cigar box aromas. The medium-bodied palate is quite pretty, balanced, but just lacking depth in the middle. Not as much fruit concentration as the Palmer '83 with tobacco and cedar to the fore, a touch of mint on the finish. Fresh with vibrant acidity, not a failure as some say, just a wine that did not attain full potential. Tasted November 2006. Drinking now-2015.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A somewhat older version of the 1990, the 1982 Palmer is a soft, easygoing, generous, and fleshy style of wine with plenty of amber to its color and an open-knit, fragrant bouquet of plums, cherries, and jammy black fruits. The wine is soft, almost flat in the mouth, with a lack of acidity, and very sweet tannin. The wine has sometimes hit the magical 90-point score in tastings, but seems to consistently lack the definition and depth to merit a score above the upper 80s. Nevertheless, this is pure charm and seduction. Anticipated maturity: Now-2008. Last tasted, 5/02.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at Pebbles/Zachy’s 1982 dinner in Hong Kong. At thirty years of age, the Palmer 1982 still remains in the shadow of the 1983, although this is one of the best bottles that I have encountered. Yes, it remains a little fatigued on the nose but it is harmonious and nicely defined with that tincture of brine amongst the undergrowth. The palate is medium bodied and missing a little cohesion with age. But there is a pleasant sweet decayed core with a simple but fresh finish that would benefit from more vigour and persistency. Tasted November 2012.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1982 Palmer has turned out better than I had predicted. It has always been a loosely knit, diffuse, but flavorful wine with low acidity, and plenty of soft, ripe black fruits intermixed with scents of flowers and herbs. Sweet, generous, and fleshy, without much grip, this medium-bodied, fully mature wine should continue to drink well for another decade. Very charming and delicious! Last tasted 9/95
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at The Ledbury Bordeaux lunch. It has been a while since our paths have crossed. At 28-years of age, the nose is a little decayed with wild strawberry, mint and a touch of brine, though it does not have the vigour it should. The palate is medium-bodied with dusty tannins, touch of white pepper and cedar, again, hollow where the ripe fruit should be, the finish rather “lazy”. An ordinary Palmer. Drink now-2017. Tasted July 2010.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the Château Palmer vertical in London, the magnum of 1982 Château Palmer is one of the best examples that I have tasted, even if it is no match for the 1983. It is a little curmudgeonly at first, perhaps slightly pinched, but it unfolds nicely and reveals quite mineral-rich, soy-tinged black fruit interlaced with graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin lending this backbone. It is missing some weight towards the finish, but as it opens in the glass, it reveals hidden facets such as tobacco and tertiary notes, allied with poise and finesse. Granted, it falls short of what could have been given the benevolent vintage and quality of its peers, however this magnum suggests that in larger formats might be worth seeking out. Tasted May 2015.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 1982 Palmer is a vintage that I have rarely encountered since it has always been overshadowed by the 1983, even deemed a failure in some quarters. Now at four decades, it does have a slightly musty, earthy nose that fails to deliver a fraction of the fruit displayed by the 1983. Maybe a touch of corkiness here? The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins that frame the decayed red fruit, quite Right Bank in style with a lovely touch of spice. It coheres towards the finish with black pepper and tobacco notes. Fully mature, I feel that this is a decent 1982, maybe just let down by the nose. Tasted at the Palmer vertical at the château.
About the Producer
The fine seaside climate and soils of Long Island’s North Fork provide exceptional conditions for the making of world-class varietal wines. With 110 acres planted with Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc to supply the winery’s 20,000 annual case production, Palmer strives to preserve and enhance the purity of flavor and distinctive, fresh character which makes this region’s wines so unique. The state- of-the art winery contains the most modern winemaking equipment available today, and also includes substantial new French oak cooperage, purchased each year, for both barrel fermentation of our Chardonnay and the aging of our premium red varietals.
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