1982 du Tertre

[Tom In DC]

This was a house not at the top of their game in 1982, so I only bought one bottle long ago for a series of tastings that never materialized.

Fill was mid-shoulder (very bad for the age of the bottle) and the cork pushed in as soon as I touched it with the corkscrew. Not good signs.

First few sniffs were quite funky in a 1980's Cordier way...let it breathe in the decanter while dinner is prepared, right?

By the time food is on the table, this is delicious. Great bouquet, good depth of flavor, medium smooth finish. It wouldn't compete with the many great wines from the vintage but it delivered waaaay above my expectations.

Seems to me like a case of vintage raw material over producer given the estate's typical performance at the time. More of a Comte/Blanquito wine at this point than something that our BD would want to try, but bottles in better shape might be worth seeking out.

[Winona Chief]

Pretty nice 2001 du Tertre last night here in Longmont, Colorado. Always been a fan of 2001 Bordeaux so not surprised. I think it was a close-out of some sort at Bassins that I bought earlier this year for about $50.

Chris Bublitz

[johnz]

Coincidentally there are three available btls of the '82 vintage sitting on Winebid right now for $76/each including premium. Worth it?

--Gary Rust

[Claudius2]

Tom
this wine was actually drinking nicely in the late 1990's
I bought a case at auction cheap in the mid 90's and drank them all from about 1996-2000.
The colour was very dark and the nose brooding and earthy.
It was quite a powerful wine, yet offered that typical Margaux character that I like - like a summer berry compote. It was not however overtly sweet.

johnz
I am not sure that is a good buy.
At auction, I tend to avoid older wines due to concerns about provenance.
If it was kept well and shows good colour, no ullage et al, it should be fine but it is caveat emptor.

[Blanquito]

Sounds good, Tom!

I've really enjoyed the 1979 du Tertre over the years, various notes highlighted it as an under the radar gem.

[AKR]

I've had very little du Tertre - I can recall a somewhat shy 1996 at around age 20ish, and then a much better 2006 a year or so ago.

Maybe they are making better wines now?

[JimHow]

Oh yes.

[johnz]

I've had the 2000 du Tertre twice in the last couple of years and it's a winner! Good now with a good 10 years left and may improve. Purchased on release at $28, but I just repurchased a few for $60 at auction -- worth the price.

--Gary Rust

[Blanquito]

I've had the 2000 du Tertre twice in the last couple of years and it's a winner! Good now with a good 10 years left and may improve. Purchased on release at $28, but I just repurchased a few for $60 at auction -- worth the price.

--Gary Rust

+1. Not sure I’d go as high as $60, but $50 for sure.