Pommard 1er cru Les Chanlins 1982 - Bernard Delagrange

The "Les Chanlins" Climat: Where Pommard Meets Volnay

The Premier Cru "Les Chanlins" is one of those terroirs known to connoisseurs. Located on the southern hillside of Pommard, immediately bordering the Volnay appellation, this climat benefits from a dual identity. Its brown limestone soil, heavily tinged with iron oxide and dotted with rocky scree, imparts to Pinot Noir the strength and tannic structure of Pommard. However, its proximity to Volnay instills in it a distinctiveness and a very distinguished mouthfeel, avoiding the austerity sometimes attributed to wines from this area.

Domaine Bernard Delagrange: Burgundian Tradition

Historically based in Meursault and with an exceptional vineyard heritage on the Côte de Beaune, Domaine Bernard Delagrange has always embodied a very classic and respectful vision of Burgundy. Their traditional vinifications in open vats, followed by long aging in oak barrels, were designed to last for decades. This bottle is living proof of that.

The 1982 Vintage: Time's Surprise

The year 1982 is famous for its hot summer which produced an exceptionally generous harvest. While the wines were easily approachable in their youth thanks to fleshy structures and supple tannins, time has performed a masterful metamorphosis on bottles from great terroirs. The tannins have completely melted, giving way to a lacy texture.

Sensory Profile and Bottle Condition

Visually, the color has evolved towards brick-red and onion-skin reflections typical of great Pinots of this age, while maintaining a beautiful brilliance. The nose is a journey through time: it opens with deep tertiary aromas of undergrowth, dead leaves, truffle, old leather, and brandied cherry. On the palate, the wine surprises with its softness and silkiness. The texture is melted, fine, and delicate, supported by a persistent finish of sweet spices. The overall condition of the bottle (level, capsule, label) is remarkable for a bottle over 40 years old.

Serving Suggestions

• Handling: Leave the bottle upright for 12 to 24 hours before opening to allow the natural sediment to settle at the bottom.
• Opening: Open with extreme caution (the use of a two-pronged corkscrew is highly recommended). Do not decant, as this risks tiring out this old bottle; let it evolve gently in the glass.
• Temperature: Serve at a maximum of 15-16°C.

WUAT's Note

This is the kind of "time capsule" bottle that we love to discover. This Pommard 1er Cru Les Chanlins 1982 is not a wine of power, but a wine of emotion and meditation. Ideal for celebrating a significant anniversary or for sharing a unique moment among enthusiasts of historic bottles.