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: Initially, the nose is not overly expressive, offering just a bit of dark fruit and minerality. However, with time it opens up significantly, revealing fine blue fruit, cola, and minty notes, becoming superb. On the palate, it's fresh in the midsection with red berries, stems, and earthy tones, but slightly drying towards the finish. Overall, it's decent. The nose alone merits a 94, but considering the entire experience, it probably lands at 91pts overall (vs 88pts of the 1993).
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Bordeaux 1983 vs 1993 face-off: Green grassy notes of asparagus, red cherry fruit, fine oak notes, a bit of leather. Quite enjoyable so far. The palate with decent structure, but rather high on acidity and mouthcoating tannin, felt like several more years needed to fully integrate – but not sure if the aromas will live to witness this.
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Hard to rate, but still enjoyable drinking. My bottle had the cork almost soaked through, but I don't think air had entered. Tannins have fully resolved, still had enough of an acidic backbone. Aromas were much nicer after 1 hour double-decanted.
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Still some blackberry and strawberry fruit with earthy undertones. Opens a bit tight. but with time the tannins fill in on the pallet and the wine is quite enjoyable. Reccomend decant for 30-60 mins prior to serving.
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One bottle from 30 bottle Bordeaux find. All layered in dust, one owner bought new and cellared for 37 years. Upper shoulder fill but great color and classic claret aromas of leather and cedars.
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Fully mature. Garnet colour. Not a big nose but still alive. Last tasted three years ago and was a little herbaceous. Not so this time. Very pleasant, couldn't ask more of a twenty seven year old third growth from a mediocre vintage.
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Limpid, lovely mature appearance; classic nose with red berries, cedar and hint of spices, harmonious, good depth and definition; elegant and stylish palate, good 1983-typicity, relatively slender, gravel; lovely length. "An Englishman's claret", just my style.
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An easy afternoon with close friends (@ FD): From double magnum. Full bodied and juicy. Fresh and wide taste. A very friendly and pleasant wine. Not extremely complex. Definitely benefits from the large size bottle.
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Rich, medium-deep colour, rosehip rim; good depth, spicy new oak, ripe blackcurrant fruit, cedar, hints of sweetness and cheese rind; rounded, good stuffing of sweet fruit, ripe, supple and attractive, adequate structure, lovely flavours; very good length. The first wine under the Suntory-regime and a very good start.
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12/28/2023 - Cailles wrote: 91 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: Initially, the nose is not overly expressive, offering just a bit of dark fruit and minerality. However, with time it opens up significantly, revealing fine blue fruit, cola, and minty notes, becoming superb. On the palate, it's fresh in the midsection with red berries, stems, and earthy tones, but slightly drying towards the finish. Overall, it's decent. The nose alone merits a 94, but considering the entire experience, it probably lands at 91pts overall (vs 88pts of the 1993).
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11/20/2023 - sirpat00 wrote: 90 Points
Bordeaux 1983 vs 1993 face-off: Green grassy notes of asparagus, red cherry fruit, fine oak notes, a bit of leather. Quite enjoyable so far. The palate with decent structure, but rather high on acidity and mouthcoating tannin, felt like several more years needed to fully integrate – but not sure if the aromas will live to witness this.
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10/21/2023 - wylee Likes this wine: 90 Points
Hard to rate, but still enjoyable drinking. My bottle had the cork almost soaked through, but I don't think air had entered. Tannins have fully resolved, still had enough of an acidic backbone. Aromas were much nicer after 1 hour double-decanted.
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7/17/2022 - Malarky997 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Holding up well
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9/12/2021 - VAVintner Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still some blackberry and strawberry fruit with earthy undertones. Opens a bit tight. but with time the tannins fill in on the pallet and the wine is quite enjoyable. Reccomend decant for 30-60 mins prior to serving.
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8/24/2020 - Malarky997 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Great body and enough fruit
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5/16/2020 - magnumfla Likes this wine: 89 Points
One bottle from 30 bottle Bordeaux find. All layered in dust, one owner bought new and cellared for 37 years.
Upper shoulder fill but great color and classic claret aromas of leather and cedars.
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3/10/2012 - grhomes wrote: 60 Points
Vinegar
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3/21/2010 - MarkAE wrote: 88 Points
Fully mature. Garnet colour. Not a big nose but still alive. Last tasted three years ago and was a little herbaceous. Not so this time. Very pleasant, couldn't ask more of a twenty seven year old third growth from a mediocre vintage.
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5/12/2002 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 90 Points
Limpid, lovely mature appearance; classic nose with red berries, cedar and hint of spices, harmonious, good depth and definition; elegant and stylish palate, good 1983-typicity, relatively slender, gravel; lovely length. "An Englishman's claret", just my style.
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9/1/2001 - Zweder wrote: 88 Points
An easy afternoon with close friends (@ FD): From double magnum. Full bodied and juicy. Fresh and wide taste. A very friendly and pleasant wine. Not extremely complex. Definitely benefits from the large size bottle.
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11/30/1998 - Zweder wrote: 87 Points
Still fruit in the bouquet plus some pleasant oak. Ready now. Lacks some refinement.
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7/6/1997 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 91 Points
Rich, medium-deep colour, rosehip rim; good depth, spicy new oak, ripe blackcurrant fruit, cedar, hints of sweetness and cheese rind; rounded, good stuffing of sweet fruit, ripe, supple and attractive, adequate structure, lovely flavours; very good length. The first wine under the Suntory-regime and a very good start.
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3/28/1986 - Zweder wrote: 88 Points
Bouquet with a lot of toasted oak and cassis. A lot of fruit and everything in its place. Long aftertaste.
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