Château Léoville Las Cases 1983

A deceptive Bordeaux which shows extremely gamy, roasted, ripe fruit character, medium body and a silky, slightly austere mouthfeel. Drink or hold.--The Bordeaux 50.

Again so young, almost not ready to drink but if you are patient things open up and start to sing. The tannic structure on this wine is just so impressive, still doing a good job of cradling blackberry and cassis fruits. It's a little less welcoming than the 1982. Harvest September 28 to October 18 (they began here one day before they finished up the 1982, and the yields were even bigger). More Cabernet in the blend than in 1982 because this was such a late ripening year that suited this variety. Petit Verdot 5% finishes blend.

Very deep crimson. Rich and concentrated. Tobacco flavours. Vigorous. Real energy here. (JR)

Firm, austere, classic style of St. Julien here. The nose is packed with cedar, tobacco, cigar box, ash, wet, forest floor and bright red berries. Medium/full bodied, with a rusticity to the tannins that was common in that era. Still, this is fun to taste, when you're in the mood for the equivalent of an old, black and white, movie style of Bordeaux.