Chateau Margaux 1981

WINE SPECTATOR: "The other wine of the vintage. Seriously powerful with fabulous color and mint, cassis and berry aromas and flavors. Has a full body and is tannic; still needs time to come around."

WEINWISSER: "Mittelkräftiges Rubingranat. Intensives Bouquet mit Veilchen, Liebstöckel und Cassispüree, umhüllt von einer feinen, zedernartigen Rauchschwade. Ungemein frischer Gaumen mit zarter Süsse, deutliche Frische mit leichter Adstringenz, dafür ist er klar, zupackend und wirkt lange nach. Leicht austrocknend im Finish."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "In weight and texture, the 1981 Margaux is closest in style to the 1979. It is an outstanding wine, even in the company of the monumental wines of 1982, 1983, and 1986, although it does not have the power and weight of these vintages. It is still very dark ruby/purple-colored. The aromatics suggest ripe cassis fruit, spicy vanillin oakiness, and violets. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, concentrated, tannic, and extremely long. It is just beginning to open and evolve."