Twenty-five years ago, Robert M. Parker described this 1982 Saint Bonnet as "an example of a full-flavored, very well-made, rich Cru Bourgeois that should last at least 7-8 years." He gave it a score of 84/100, which, at that time, was a very good Parker score. On all counts, I would say, Parker's judgment was a notable understatement.
The color is a medium deep ruby with some bricking but still a lot of saturated color for a 26-year-old Cru Bourgeois. There is a well developed claret bouquet of blackcurrants, cherries, tea and cassis. Still going strong. Has a cool feel on the palate--tea, menthol and herbs. It's very ripe for a claret, with none of the green pepper elements that you often get from Merlot. Velvety mouthfeel and a very long finish. Incredible level of Cabernet/Merlot fruit for a 26-year-old wine that, in its day, sold for $5.75 a bottle. A tribute to the 1982 vintage and to Robert M. Parker.
Saint Bonnet is just one of several ageworthy, reasonably price Cru Bourgeois Medoc wines. Others include Latour de By [see my report of September 25, 2008], Latour Saint Bonnet and Fourcas Hosten. They are traditionally made and do not always show their best when they're young. Europeans know about these wines and cellar them for the long haul. 1982 Saint Bonnet is a much better wine than it was when RMP wrote his review, and it's a much better wine than it was at 7-8 years of age.
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I love all about wines and their colors. I think a good wine must be the oldest because the price and the brand always said that. Honestly the wine is for rich people and they know that, but I've been learning a lot of things from this atypical blog. Now, I can see witch's the difference between Cabernet/Merlot and traditionally wine in the market.
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