It’s possible to buy this vintage, store it for five years, and then resell it for a higher price, however, this isn’t necessarily the best approach.

In this sense, 1982 Pichon Lalande is a piece of history. Arguably, this was the first vintage that sparked a trend in hedonistic, ultra-concentrated wines, which later inspired decades of winemakers. They’re more fruit-forward than typical Bordeaux blends, and highly concentrated on the nose. Parker was one of the first to call the 1982 vintage a rousing success, largely because the wines fit right into his wheelhouse. It’s no coincidence that this was the same year that Robert Parker became one of the most popular wine critics in the world. Sunny, warm months gave the grapes a ripe, concentrated personality, and made them easier to approach than their more acidic peers. Perfect weather conditions throughout Bordeaux are what made the 1982 Pichon Lalande so consistent and easy to drink in its youth. After 20 years in the cellar, Tanzer said that the vintage still had a “superb depth of flavor ” after 35 years, critics continue to find heady aromas and rich, ripe fruit flavors. However, the 1982 continues to surprise us all. Critics like Jancis Robinson and Stephen Tanzer praised this wine early in its development, calling it “charming” and “magically sweet.” It reached a velvety sophistication within just the first 10 years of storage, and as a result, some critics were worried that it would peak too soon. This isn’t the case with 1982 Pichon Lalande. A wine that’s astringent or too tannic might be called “rebellious,” but critics expect these qualities to mellow with age. Many Bordeaux enthusiasts praise young wines that are difficult to drink early on, since they view this as a sign of a wine that will age well. Legendary Bordeaux Doesn’t Have to Be Rebellious However, the 1982 Pichon Lalande is fast approaching its peak maturity, so now is the time to invest.

This is the type of wine that you can revisit every five years and never grow tired of drinking, making it the ideal choice for a collector who wants an incredible wine tasting experience, or who is looking for a great gift wine. This vintage has a consistency of taste that would make any top producer green with envy, and it’s mouthwateringly luxurious to boot. Although he had uncorked other greats like Angelus and Latour, he loved the 1982 Pichon Lalande most of all. “It’s 1982 Pichon Lalande, by far,” he said. When I asked my uncle to name his all-time favorite bottle of Bordeaux, his answer surprised me.

1982 pichon lalande