Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 1983

Fully mature, this medium to dark ruby-colored wine reveals an attractive spicy, blackcurrant aroma with the ever-present 1983 weediness making itself more apparent as the wine has evolved. Soft, round, with good rather than superb concentration, this low acid, alcoholic example of Grand-Puy-Lacoste possesses enough tannin to last for another 6-8 years. Last tasted, 5/93.

Extracted and slightly clumsy, with raisin, plum and tar character, full body and a bevy of tannins. Alcoholic finish. Perhaps better in a few years.--The Bordeaux 50.

Grand Puy Lacoste is a Château that continually overperforms as a 'quintessential Pauillac'. That being said the 1983 is now fully evolved, no longer displaying the classic characteristics but is loaded with aromas of black tea and leather. The tannins are completely resolved and the wine is fresh but fully mature. The finish lacks length and I feel this would have been at its peak a decade ago.

The 1983 Grand Puy Lacoste is showing some bricking on the rim now. Mellow on the nose with forest floor, morels, warm gravel and just a touch of mint. This is fully mature. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a little hollow on the mid-palate with dry tannins, and slightly metallic, perhaps? A tertiary GPL that has retained freshness, but I would drink this sooner rather than later. Tasted at the château.

Fully mature and not going to get any better, yet a solid Pauillac, the 1983 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a ruby/plum hue with some solid amber at the rim as well as a woody, mature nose of darker fruits, smoked tobacco, old leather, and cedar pencil. Medium-bodied, reasonably well-balanced, and enjoyable, it's still hanging on and offers a satisfying, if uninspiring, drinking experience. Drink up.

Rather dark wine-red colour with a brick-red rim. The nose starts out very terroir-driven: horn-of-plenty mushrooms, wet tree bark, then it grows ever denser and also a touch more fruity. On the palate, majestic—a Cabernet that, with air, sheds the dryness of the 1983 vintage, then shows a hint of blackcurrant and finishes on black chocolate.

It starts with the typical GPL ailment, I noted back in 1991; namely a musty note that stubbornly lingers for a full 30 minutes. Meaty aromas on the nose, bouillon paste. On the palate, a biting sting on the tip of the tongue, leathery, dry. Best decanted an hour beforehand. Recently, a few bottles have been severely drying. 03: Quite a dark wine red with a brick-red rim. The nose begins very terroir-driven: autumn trumpets, wet tree bark, then it becomes denser and also a bit more fruity. On the palate, an elevated Cabernet shows itself, able to shake off a certain 1983 dryness with exposure to air, and then it finishes with a touch of cassis and, above all, dark chocolate. (17/20). 09: At a dinner at Grand-Puy-Lacoste. Rather light colour, brick-red rim. Peppery bouquet, raisined fruit notes yet showing more of a “dry sweetness”. On the palate, a pronounced, even piquant extract—broad but flat—held together by acidity, tannins and now also fine metallic notes. Past its best. 17: Lightening, brownish colour. The nose shows an oxidative profile: Málaga, lovage, old leather. I set it aside rather dismissively because it simply came across as overripe. On the palate it still showed a minimal tendency to give pleasure, with Málaga-like contours and aromas of an old military knapsack. With beef tongue in Madeira sauce it would most likely still be quite drinkable—provided you use half the bottle for the sauce. Based on earlier experiences with this wine, “this thing” is unfortunately over and done with.

A classic bouquet marked by notes of cedar and red berries. It is interesting to note that the nose shows freshness as well as candied nuances. A delicious character on the palate, where the wine is perfectly balanced thanks to a fine synergy between tannins and acidity. Fruity finish.

Deep red colour. Medium intensity. Mature. Meaty, ripe nose. Strawberry jam. On the palate, fruit, body and notes of fallen leaves. Finish with straightforward, rustic tannins.