Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1983

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 1983 Lafite has come out of its dumb, monolithic stage and has begun to reveal the classic mineral, lead pencil, cedary perfume it is renowned for possessing. A forceful wine for Lafite, it offers medium to full body and good underlying structure, particularly for a 1983. Deeper and more compelling at age ten than it has been in the past, it should prove to be one of the longest-lived wines of the vintage. This terrific effort should reach its peak by the turn of the century and last at least 25-30 years. Last tasted, 6/93.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

First tasted in December 2005. Deep garnet core with deep brick rim. A very fine nose of baked black cherries, soot and black truffle. Good definition and vigor, still a nose with a lot to give. The palate does not quite match up to the nose. Sweet black, kirsch and prune tinged fruit. Very silky but lacking some grip and acidity. A very sleek Lafite that is at its peak now, but the finish is a little one-dimensional. Then from a magnum in May 2006. A very tight nose at first, blackberry, tobacco, touches of charcoal. Very classic, Pauillac palate with the tannins mellow and refined. Very harmonious, sweet with a touch of dried prune, but then a little dryness at the finish and perhaps short in length. But it still has great charm.

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted single blind at the Fine Wine Experience horizontal in London. This has a deep garnet colour, youthful in appearance whilst the nose has a touch of “New World” Cabernet about it. A few more swirls and some lovely brambly fruit, blackberry, a little liquorices and wine gums. Quite generous. The palate is medium-bodied, quite sinewy and backward, ripe and generous, nice lift, extrovert but just lacking a little poise towards the mocha/cassis-driven finish. Perhaps this could do with a little more bottle age? I prefer the personality of the Pichon-Lalande, but this is still very fine. Drink now-2015. Tasted October 2008.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Finally, the 1983 Lafite is beginning to shed its tannin. The wine exhibits a deep ruby/garnet color with only a slight lightening at the edge. The intoxicatingly perfumed nose of lead pencil, pain grille, red and black fruits, minerals, and roasted herbs is provocative. In the mouth, this wine displays considerable body for a Lafite, plenty of power, and a fleshy, rich, sweet mid-palate. Long, elegant, plump, and surprisingly fleshy, this outstanding example of Lafite seems largely forgotten given the number of high quality vintages during the golden decade of the eighties. Anticipated maturity: Now-2030. Last tasted 3/97