12x Bordeaux 1983 vs 1993: All wines tasted single blind. Not decanted. As anticipated, the 1983 vintage prevailed in our comparative tasting, scoring 8 to 2 wins against the 1993 vintage, with two ties. The structured, classic ’83s exhibited greater depth and harmony compared to the ‘93s, which tended to be simpler, sometimes slightly green and dry, or at their best, fresh and light. However, in both vintages, aside from a few notable labels, many wines were evidently beyond their peak. The standout was, unsurprisingly, the Margaux (94pts). Tasting the some of the same ’83s a second time a few days later with decanting showed a marked improvement, highlighting the need of aeration.
TN: The nose has an animalistic character, coupled with dark fruit, but it lacks complexity and precision. On the palate, it's somewhat drying and not overly intriguing, though it does possess a decent fruit core and maintains good freshness. Overall, it's not hitting any exceptional notes. 86pts (vs strong 93pts of the 1983).
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Bordeaux 1983 vs 1993 face-off: Barnyard and horse saddle notes, dark cherry and black currant fruit. Maybe hints of coffee but also vegetal, unripe herbal notes. Mineral dimension of iodine and just a whiff of graphite. Red cherry fruit on the palate, lacking just a bit of ripeness but otherwise near-ideal balance even if the tannin felt coarse and drying.
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1993 survey, or filling a hole with Chave (Chicago, IL): I had a little trouble with this one. I understand where it's coming from, but this was too vegetal and green for me. The aromas on the nose are quite alluring though. On the palate there are very high acids for Bordeaux; this is definitely on the thin side, but with more refinement than a Loire red (though that wouldn't be a bad call blind). Very lovely to try (I mean how much 1993 Bordeaux do you ever see around still?) but not exactly my cup of tea.
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Initial nose was of cedar and maybe some light green notes but on day two the green was gone and replaced by tobacco aromas. Much better tonight than last night with blackcurrant and other dark fruit like maybe plums. The length is superb as the black fruit starts to dominate. The Comtessa should be proud of this effort. Frankly I love PL in off vintages. The 1988 remains my favorite of those.
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1/26/2024 - Philip_Bundpropperne Likes this wine: 96 Points
Rating: 4,6/5,0.
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12/28/2023 - Cailles wrote: 86 Points
12x Bordeaux 1983 vs 1993: All wines tasted single blind. Not decanted. As anticipated, the 1983 vintage prevailed in our comparative tasting, scoring 8 to 2 wins against the 1993 vintage, with two ties. The structured, classic ’83s exhibited greater depth and harmony compared to the ‘93s, which tended to be simpler, sometimes slightly green and dry, or at their best, fresh and light. However, in both vintages, aside from a few notable labels, many wines were evidently beyond their peak. The standout was, unsurprisingly, the Margaux (94pts). Tasting the some of the same ’83s a second time a few days later with decanting showed a marked improvement, highlighting the need of aeration.
TN: The nose has an animalistic character, coupled with dark fruit, but it lacks complexity and precision. On the palate, it's somewhat drying and not overly intriguing, though it does possess a decent fruit core and maintains good freshness. Overall, it's not hitting any exceptional notes. 86pts (vs strong 93pts of the 1983).
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11/20/2023 - sirpat00 wrote: 92 Points
Bordeaux 1983 vs 1993 face-off: Barnyard and horse saddle notes, dark cherry and black currant fruit. Maybe hints of coffee but also vegetal, unripe herbal notes. Mineral dimension of iodine and just a whiff of graphite. Red cherry fruit on the palate, lacking just a bit of ripeness but otherwise near-ideal balance even if the tannin felt coarse and drying.
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3/14/2023 - acyso wrote: 90 Points
1993 survey, or filling a hole with Chave (Chicago, IL): I had a little trouble with this one. I understand where it's coming from, but this was too vegetal and green for me. The aromas on the nose are quite alluring though. On the palate there are very high acids for Bordeaux; this is definitely on the thin side, but with more refinement than a Loire red (though that wouldn't be a bad call blind). Very lovely to try (I mean how much 1993 Bordeaux do you ever see around still?) but not exactly my cup of tea.
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1/21/2023 - ElAzul Likes this wine: 94 Points
Initial nose was of cedar and maybe some light green notes but on day two the green was gone and replaced by tobacco aromas. Much better tonight than last night with blackcurrant and other dark fruit like maybe plums. The length is superb as the black fruit starts to dominate. The Comtessa should be proud of this effort. Frankly I love PL in off vintages. The 1988 remains my favorite of those.
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