I have a bottle of Ch. Margaux 1982. If I want to consume it, how long should I decant this wine? Thank you.
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
It is always very difficult to say exactly how long a certain wine should be decanted. There is only general experience with respect to a given type of wine, the vintage, and its age. When in doubt - and there is always a question with older wines - err on the side of too little airing rather than too much. In Bordeaux, however, it is customary to decant hours before the wine is served. To determine what you should do, first, before decanting, pour a small amount into a glass. What is the color? If it's quite brown (indicating advanced age or bad storage or handling), then it's a warning sign. If the wine is dark red, it's a good sign. Then, assess the aroma and taste. If you find a wine which is in good condition - still fresh, vital with dark fruits and warm cedary notes - you have a good candidate for decanting. The more reserved and tannic the wine seems to be, the longer it may benefit from decanting. Recent tastings of Margaux 1982 have yielded variable results (perhaps due to each bottle's history) but if your bottle has been properly stored it should be a vigorous, still rather youthful and truly great red wine.
