1983 Château Gruaud Larose

Community Tasting Notes (264) Avg Score: 92.1 points

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  4/10/2024 - BellevuePhil Likes this wine: 94 Points

  This is a perfect example of a not so good vintage way back when turning into a masterpiece with 40 years in the bottle....oh brothers and sisters, in the realm of aristocracy, where refined tastes and exquisite experiences reign supreme, there exists a pinnacle of viniculture that encapsulates the very essence of luxury and indulgence. Enter the illustrious 1983 Château Gruaud Larose, a vintage that transcends time and transports connoisseurs to a realm of unparalleled sensory delight.
  
  In the glass, it exudes a deep, garnet hue, hinting at the depth of character that lies within. Aromas of ripe blackcurrant, succulent plum, and delicate violet intertwine to create a bouquet of unparalleled complexity. With each swirl, new layers of fragrance emerge, enticing the senses and promising a journey of sensory delight.
  
  On the palate, the wine unfurls with grace and elegance, coating the tongue with velvety textures and sumptuous flavors. Ripe blackberry, dark chocolate, and hints of cedar mingle harmoniously, creating a symphony of taste that dances across the palate. The wine's impeccable balance and seamless integration of tannins speak to its pedigree, leaving a lasting impression that lingers long after the final sip.
  
  What sets the 1983 Château Gruaud Larose apart is not just its exceptional taste, but also its ability to evoke a sense of time and place. With each sip, one is transported to a bygone era, where the summer of '83 is alive with the promise of adventure and romance. It is a wine that tells a story, a narrative of passion and indulgence that unfolds with each passing moment.
  
  As I reflect on my experience with the 1983 Château Gruaud Larose, I am reminded of the words of the poet: "Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read."
  
  But beyond its extraordinary taste and impeccable craftsmanship, the 1983 Château Gruaud Larose evokes a nostalgia that transcends mere sensory pleasure. Like a cherished memory etched in the annals of time, it conjures visions of the summer of '83, a season imbued with the spirit of adventure and untamed passion.
  
  I am reminded of a journey embarked upon in the rugged terrain of Alaska, where dusty roads wind their way through untamed wilderness, and the promise of adventure hangs thick in the air. It was there, amidst the wilderness, that I encountered a family from California, their spirits as vibrant as the crimson hues of the setting sun.
  
  In the quaint town of Chicken, beneath the ethereal glow of the northern lights, fate conspired to intertwine our destinies in a moment of serendipitous enchantment. It was there, amidst laughter and camaraderie, that I found myself enraptured by the beauty of a young maiden whose allure surpassed even the finest vintage wine.
  
  Under the watchful gaze of the celestial heavens, we stole away to the banks of a tranquil river, where the symphony of nature provided the perfect backdrop for our clandestine rendezvous. As we shared stories and dreams beneath the canopy of stars, the 1983 Château Gruaud Larose became our companion, its velvety elixir igniting flames of passion that burned with the intensity of a thousand suns.
  
  In that fleeting moment of bliss, time stood still, and we were enveloped in a cocoon of euphoria, where the boundaries of reality faded into obscurity, and only the pulsating rhythm of our hearts remained. It was a night etched in the fabric of eternity, a testament to the transformative power of love and the intoxicating allure of forbidden desires.
  
  Covered in blueberries from head to toe, we found vintage animal love that lasted but a few minutes but was savored like my grandmother's broth.
  
  Though our paths diverged with the dawn's first light, and the sands of time swept us apart, the memory of that fateful encounter remains etched in the depths of my soul, a poignant reminder of a love that defied the constraints of time and space.
  
  In the grand tapestry of life, where each thread weaves a story of its own, the 1983 Château Gruaud Larose stands as a testament to the enduring power of passion and the timeless allure of indulgence. With each sip, it beckons us to embark upon a journey of discovery, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, and the promise of adventure awaits around every corner.
  
  NOTE TO SELF: LITERALLY DRINK NOW POP AND POUR. 20 MINS IN THE GLASS READY AND DRINK LIKE A DAMN OPUS!

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  3/16/2024 - Maphill01 wrote:

  Wine of the night, besting the brilliant 2005 Clinet. Perfect aged BDX, lovely aromatics, perfect balance of ripe red fruit, earthy notes, silky mouthfeel and enough acidity for lift.

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  2/14/2024 - T.E.D. wrote: 91 Points

  Do you still hang in there. Classic claret, irony notes, clay, hints of pepper. Notes of cedar and tobacco. Milky

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  1/14/2024 - InVinjeVeritas wrote: 94 Points

  Excellent, classic claret. Probably a little bit past peak, but highly enjoyable.

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  12/28/2023 - Cailles wrote: 82 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 wine has muted nose, lacking in vibrancy. The palate is predominantly marked by the drying tannins. Some fresh dark fruit that struggles to shine through. This combination results in a less than compelling experience. The lack of balance and complexity leads to an overall unremarkable impression. 82pts (same as the 1993).

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