Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 1982 Saint-Julien

The 1982 vintage is legendary in Bordeaux, characterized by a warm, dry growing season with near-perfect conditions. A mild spring and early flowering set the stage for a hot, sunny summer, allowing Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to achieve ideal ripeness. The vintage produced wines with high natural sugar levels, concentrated flavors, and softer tannins, making them both approachable early and capable of extraordinary aging.

Today, the 1982s are widely regarded as some of the finest Bordeaux ever made.

Tasting Notes & Serving Suggestions:
The bouquet opens with complex aromas of blackcurrant, plum, and dried cherry, interwoven with cedar, graphite, and tobacco leaf. On the palate, it is elegant and harmonious, offering layers of dark berry fruit, truffle, leather, and subtle hints of spice box. The tannins are now silky and resolved, supporting a beautifully long, savory finish marked by classic Left Bank minerality and finesse.
Serve at 17–18°C (63–65°F) in large Bordeaux-style glasses to showcase its aromatic depth and complexity. Given its age, decant gently for 30 minutes to remove sediment while preserving its delicate bouquet. Pair with refined dishes such as roast duck with black cherry glaze, beef Wellington, rack of lamb, or mature Comté cheese. This wine is at peak maturity but will hold gracefully for another 5–8 years if stored well.