This wine has turned out to be a satisfying, opulently styled, multi-layered La Chapelle with plenty of glycerin, extract, and alcohol. It is a fleshy, succulent wine with explosive fruitiness, deep, peppery, wild blueberry, cassis aromas intermingled with cedar, truffle, and oily cured Provencal olive scents. Dense and chewy, with some tannin still in evidence, and a youthful, dark ruby/purple/garnet color with no signs of lightening, this fully mature wine may resemble a more modern version of the always delicious 1971. Anticipated maturity: now-2010. Last tasted 11/96.

This 1982 is slightly deeper in colour than the 1980, with a little more maturity on the rim. A little riper on the nose, but for me it does not have the intellect on quite the delineation of the 1980 and after ten minutes in the glass it become more a veneer of sweet red-berries, leather and cooked meats. The palate has more concentration than the 1980 with ripe black fruits, black olive, dried orange peel and damson. A little short on length, the wine improves all the time in the glass with the nose developing a honeyed note that re-emerges on the aftertaste but then it fades in the glass more than the 1980. Drink now. Tasted March 2008.

Glowing ruby. Rather a charming nose. Old but a real charmer in a faded rose-petal way. I’d happily drink this – but now! Round and – just – fresh enough. (A second bottle drunk on 5 July 2024 was even better, and firmer.) (JR)

From Richard Mayson's cellar (Wine Society bottling). Slightly dirty, bloody nose. A little better on the palate but high acid and a bit meaty. Still some firmness to the tannins. Dry finish with beef extract winning over the substance of the fruit. Jancis was much more positive about this bottle than I was. (JH)