1983 Leoville Las Cases

Full bottle just 1,296 g. Back in 1983 there was no requirement to cite alcohol level on the label. Shaded garnet with a pale rim. When originally decanted, a good three hours before serving, this wine seemed relatively austere and dry but with time in a mature-wine decanter it really opened out and by the time it was enjoyed with mallard at the JancisRobinson.com Christmas dinner it came into its minerally own with many a layer of subtlety – most notably on the nose. In fact, had it not been followed by Ch Margaux 1983, it might have been considered the wine of the night, although it will never be described as fleshy. Needs air! (JR)

Still dark ruby but with a pale rim. Light nose that suggests dry fruit. Very firm finish.  There is still a bit of tannin here! In fact I am going to decant it into my wider goblet-type decanter... Pretty austere at the moment – perhaps it will bloom but I don't hold out enormous hope...  (No alcohol given on the label then.) (JR)

Like so many 1983s, this wine entered full maturity 6-7 years ago and now seems to be suggesting that it needs to be drunk up quickly, as the tannins and acidity continue to take hold, and as the fruit fades. The wine has a dark plum/garnet color with some amber at the edge. The wine is medium-bodied with a bit of sharpness in the finish. However, the aromas and attack of the wine are still intact, but consumption definitely seems warranted. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 3/02.