1982 Chateau Palmer

[misterjive]

1982 was a fantastic year for Pomerol, St. Julien, and St. Estephe, but less so for Margaux (this according to Mr. Palmer, whose Vintage Guide I swear by). Anyway, whether or not you accept the regional distinctions of the Wine Advocate's Vintage Guide, the point in question is well-stored 1982 Chateau Palmer. On the one hand, you have the market and what it tells us. K&L Wine Merchants are currently offering two bottles of '79 Palmer (a vintage comparable to '82 in Margaux, in Mr. Parker's estimation) at $109 apiece. That would indicate that the market is willing to wait at least three more years on your wine. Next, we have what the wine writers tell us. Parker writes that "a cardinal rule for purchasing the top Bordeaux wines . . . is that if a chateau's wine takes 15 years to reach full maturity, it will easily remain at that plateau for another 15 years before it begins a slow decline." Now, back to what the market dictates, the auction house of Acker Merrall & Condit is selling 4 bottles of Ch Palmer in its upcoming auction (3/4/2000). Three are from the 1990 vintage, the fourth is from 1982. Bids for these for bottles start at $240. I think this price is great, but then again, that is where bids START. Regardless, I don't think many people out there would agree that '82 Palmer is fading fast. As Oz Clarke writes, "Of all the properties which could justifiably feel underrated by the 1855 Classification, Chateau Palmer has the best case. Anyone who has the luck to drink this wonderful wine-even in a half-decent vintage-is won over...." Mr. Parker says your wine is ready to drink now, but will not begin to decline until 2012. I think it will still be a rewarding experience to drink 20 or more years from now!