Hi everyone - I thought I'd share the notes I'm jotting down tonite. We had a chance to try the 1982 Chateau Haut Brion for the first time tonite and also having an 89 at the ready, I followed it up with that puppy and made these notes.

1982 Chateau Haut Brion

Deep garnet color with slight traces of amber on the edges. Aroma of nutmeg, plum, black currant, leather, cigar box. Meaty, slightly sour taste with a substantive finish, though the flavor is anticlimactic. Medium to heavy body. My impression is that this would be a great wine with lighter food.

1989 Chateau Haut Brion (followed the 82)

Deep ruby red with only a hint of aging around the edges. Bouquet of black pepper, nutmeg, black cherry and leather. Incredible power and body - even right out of the bottle this wine is explosive and beautifully balanced.
The 1989 Haut Brion has the longest, most tongue-tingling finish of any wine I have ever had. Following the 82 with the 89 puts the 82 Haut Brion to shame, without any doubts. I feel the 89 will age much more gracefully than the 82 has.

Thank you for the notes, I recently aquired an '89 and am saving it for the holidays. Everything I've read says the wine is spectacular now and no real need to wait, I take it from your notes that you would concur?

Nice notes, Michael. From your comments, I suspect the '82 was an off-bottle. Parker gave it a 94 and said to drink 2002-2020. I have several in my cellar that I bought at release. Yours might possibly be the victim of improper provenance.

Thank you for the notes. I've got a bottle of 89 Haut Brion lying down. May cap it off soon based on your notes.