Margaux 1983 (750ML)

97 Points, William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "One of the wines I opened to celebrate the end of harvest in Burgundy this year was a bottle of the 1983 Château Margaux, and I was blessed with a perfect cork, something that isn't a given with this vintage. Offering up beautiful aromas of sweet cassis, cigar box, petroleum jelly and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and enveloping, with a fleshy core of fruit, melted tannins and a long, aromatic finish. Fully mature today, now is a great time to open bottles." 12/23

98 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator: "This pulls together all the glorious notes of a fully mature Margaux, with singed cedar, rooibos tea, rose water and sandalwood aromas, followed by a stunning mélange of both fresh and dried red and black fruits, including currant, cherry, raspberry and plum. The long finish lets everything drape together beautifully. Absolutely stunning, this seems in no hurry to go anywhere. Remarkably fresh and defined at this time. -- Non-blind Château Margaux vertical (December 2013). Drink now through 2035." 11/14

98 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: "(Château Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux, France, Red) Gorgeous as ever, even if the 1982 is standing up a little more strongly today. This is still full of tannins, rich and textured fruit and lilting freshness, fragrant, concentrated and generous. And the yield, if you can believe it, was 67hl/h. The release price of this 1983 was 170 francs, as was the 1982. 4% Cabernet Franc rounds out the blend. Paul Pontallier's first vintage - although he also oversaw the ageing and bottling of the 1982. His thesis, by the way, was on oak ageing, and this is 100% new oak. (Drink between 2018-2040)" 07/18

99 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: “The 1983 Château Margaux is consistently brilliant at the moment. This is the third bottle tasted in almost as many months. It has a vivacious bouquet with blackberry, tar and tobacco. It's mineral-driven with a gorgeous wilted rose petal scent embroidered into the aromatic profile. The palate has an effortless quality all of its own, filigree tannins and unerring symmetry with a peacock's tail towards the pixelated finish. How is it possible not to fall in love with this? Tasted blind at Olivier Bernard's "3" dinner at Domaine de Chevalier.” 4/23

98 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: "Crushed roses and peony fragrace brings the Margaux typicity even before you begin tasting, and although this is beginning to soften a little from its heyday, it is still an astonishing wine full of grace and joy. Sweet strawberry puree, cured leather, tobacco, grilled cumin, woodsmoke and gentle tannins, leisurely and generous, with lilting acidities. Paul Pontallier's first vintage as director - although he also oversaw the ageing and bottling of the 1982, and the third for owner Corinne Menzelopoulos. 100% new oak, and an astonishingly generous (almost double today's average) 67hl/h yield." 06/23