Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1983

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is Lafite. Prune and spices, with a cedar and wet tobacco character on the nose. Even tea. Full and rich with a dark China tea and cedar character. Just a hint of chocolate. Opens in the glass like a genie. Amazing."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "With the prices Chateau Lafite Rothschild fetches these days, it's a wine I seldom see at tastings anymore. This is a beautiful example of a 30 year old Lafite, with its cedar chest, tobacco, stone, cassis and cranberry filled nose. Medium bodied, with a finesse to the tannins and silky texture to the fruit, this is what Pauillac is all about."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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"

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Rubingranat, zart unterockert, breiterer Wasserrand. In der Nase dunkle Beerenfrucht, zarte Minze, reife Zwetschkenfrucht, feiner Schokoladeanklang, nach Eukalyptus, etwas Honigkaramell, etwas Velours und exotische Gewürze. Am Gaumen frisch, rotbeerige Nuancen, delikat, nach Herzkirschen, Cassis, hat Rasse, angenehme Zitrusanklänge, glänzt mit Frische und salziger Mineralik, ein verführerischer, delikater Wein, bleibt gut haften, etwas raue Tannine, großes Reifepotenzial, insgesamt zurückhaltend. Trinken/lagern +15"

WINE SPECTATOR: "Outstanding, and beginning to mature. Has plenty of cherry and currant flavors, with crisp acidity and good balance overall. Drink 1994 to 2000.--Lafite Rothschild vertical."