The Auswine Forum

Hi everyone,

A good friend is having a milestone birthday soon, and I'm looking for recommendations on 1982 birth year wines. I have previously been recommended by Ian Wynn's John Riddoch or De Bortoli Noble One, but I'm struggling to source either. My budget is approx $150, but could be stretched slightly if necessary.

As this has snuck up on me, I only really have a week to source this, so if anyone knows where I can pick something up, I'd appreciate that advice too (but ask that you PM me, as I don't want to take advantage of Gavin's generous provision of this forum. I'd buy something from him, but all of his 1982 wines are far beyond my budget!)

Thanks so much everyone!

P

With the '82 Noble One,1982 was the first vintage of botrytis sweet semillon for De Bortoli, and it was not yet called Noble One at that stage, but was sold as a Sauternes. Probably pretty rare (and/or tightly held) by now...

http://www.debortoli.com.au/our-wines/o ... -1982.html

Not going to be easy given the timeframe and budget!! Riddoch 82 is a stupendous wine, but even if found, will be way over budget. Noble One also rare and while cheaper, finding it is the key, not likely.

Maybe a so called 'lesser' Bordeaux if you're lucky?? But to buy and have delivered within a week??

Best of luck. Hey, just remembered, 1982 Toro Albala Gran Reserva Don Pedro Ximenez .. Apparently available here in Aus. Was thick and sump oil like, but quite awesome if you like big sticky wines. Got to get back to dinner so can't research more right now... But it's worth a look!!

Cheers
Tim

A cheaper Bordeaux at auction?

Doesn't Tahbilk have back vintages they include in special offers? I'm not sure they would have anything as old as an '82 but it might be worth a try. Even their regular Cabernet and Shiraz can last decades.

Good luck..............Mahmoud.

TiggerK wrote:Not going to be easy given the timeframe and budget!! Riddoch 82 is a stupendous wine, but even if found, will be way over budget. Noble One also rare and while cheaper, finding it is the key, not likely.

Maybe a so called 'lesser' Bordeaux if you're lucky?? But to buy and have delivered within a week??

Best of luck. Hey, just remembered, 1982 Toro Albala Gran Reserva Don Pedro Ximenez .. Apparently available here in Aus. Was thick and sump oil like, but quite awesome if you like big sticky wines. Got to get back to dinner so can't research more right now... But it's worth a look!!

Cheers
Tim

You're not wrong about the PX Tim. Although when we were in Melbourne recently, the half bottle we had at MoVida to finish our meal was the 1985. Don't know whether the 1982 has been drained dry.

Cheers, Peter

1982 Wynns Black Label is a worthy substitute for the Riddoch. the times i have had them together i have usually preferred the BL over the extra oak of the JR
pm me if you cant find anything else

cheers

Thank you all for your suggestions. I really like the idea of getting him something fortified, as it means he doesn't have to feel guilty about drinking a glass every now and then. That being the case, I guess I should be looking for something that can be drunk over the course of a longer period of time (so perhaps a tawny or something like that?)

Looked for the 1982 Toro Albala Gran Reserva Don Pedro Ximenez, but it seems that the only stockist I can find only have the 1985 vintage (so I would be interested in any tips on where else to look!)

Thank you so much again, everyone!

P

Wine searcher is your friend. More than a few affordable 82s can be found.

-- George Krashos

Hi paul

Pm sent re the 1982 don px. Cheers

Thanks so much again, everyone.

Just a quick further question: I have no idea about the wine style of the Toro Albala Don PX - Is that something that one can open and enjoy over a period of time, or will it oxidise and need to be drunk in one or two sittings?

crusty2 wrote:1982 Wynns Black Label is a worthy substitute for the Riddoch. the times i have had them together i have usually preferred the BL over the extra oak of the JR
pm me if you cant find anything else

cheers

Would agree here and have stated before, 82 BL more fruit driven than 82 JR.
Good luck with your chase Paul, langtons probably the best bet ( thats not an endorsement, but the reality).

Cheers Craig.

phillisc wrote:Good luck with your chase Paul, langtons probably the best bet ( thats not an endorsement, but the reality).

Not if Paul only has a week (or less) to source something.

Gday Paul,
I recently was thinking the same thing. I managed to get a Bin 389, Riddoch and Bin 707 from a reputable auction site (listed in this thread - total cost $360). Unfortunately all were stolen recently after my cellar was broken into.

PaulG wrote:Thanks so much again, everyone.

Just a quick further question: I have no idea about the wine style of the Toro Albala Don PX - Is that something that one can open and enjoy over a period of time, or will it oxidise and need to be drunk in one or two sittings?

I'd have a guess that after it's been opened it should keep a bit like a rare Rutherglen Tokay or Muscat, or Seppeltsfield's oldest tawnies - it will be at its best when it's fresh, but will still be enjoyable over a period of time. The 1979 vintage at an offline a couple of years ago (which I think had been open over 24 hours) was outstanding:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11761&p=93381&hilit=Bodegas+Toro+Albala#p93381

n4sir wrote:

phillisc wrote:Good luck with your chase Paul, langtons probably the best bet ( thats not an endorsement, but the reality).

Not if Paul only has a week (or less) to source something.

Apologies Ian, did not read the time frame bit.

pc79 wrote:Gday Paul,
I recently was thinking the same thing. I managed to get a Bin 389, Riddoch and Bin 707 from a reputable auction site (listed in this thread - total cost $360). Unfortunately all were stolen recently after my cellar was broken into.

Sorry to gooff topic, but that really sucks. Sounds like they knew what the good stuff was...

n4sir wrote:

PaulG wrote:Thanks so much again, everyone.

Just a quick further question: I have no idea about the wine style of the Toro Albala Don PX - Is that something that one can open and enjoy over a period of time, or will it oxidise and need to be drunk in one or two sittings?

I'd have a guess that after it's been opened it should keep a bit like a rare Rutherglen Tokay or Muscat, or Seppeltsfield's oldest tawnies - it will be at its best when it's fresh, but will still be enjoyable over a period of time. The 1979 vintage at an offline a couple of years ago (which I think had been open over 24 hours) was outstanding:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11761&p=93381&hilit=Bodegas+Toro+Albala#p93381

This pretty well sums it up. It comes in 375 ml bottles which makes it fairly easy to get though one over a few days if necessary - an academic proposition at our place. It's a glorious dessert wine with a huge flavour spectrum (even hints of granny smith apples in there) and immense viscosity. From it's colour, you could mistake it for betadine - assuming you have no sense of smell - but the aromas present a rich intense tapestry of aged rancio fruit without any touch of cloying sweetness. This has become our 'go to' finisher when we are looking for a match with dark chocolates or denser puds.

Thank you all for your suggestions. The Don PX was very well received. I'll ask Justin to post here when he tries it!