Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1983

WEINWISSER: "Mattes, leicht bräunliches Weinrot. Konzentriertes Bouquet, frisch gehackte Rosinen, Orangeat, viel Röstnoten, Süssholz, intensive Süsse. Toller Gaumen mit warmen, feinpfeffrigen Tanninen, die innen leicht trocken, aber aussen mit genügend Fett umgeben sind, langes Rückaroma. Wer nur lange genug schlürft, erkennt die Genialität! Braucht viel Luft."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Dark crimson and rather luxurious-looking. Very polished and sumptuous – beautifully-knit nose. Very polished tannins and quite a bit of tannin tucked away on the end. Not heavy but a class act. First-growth quality confirmed. Super fresh and clean on the finish. At peak now. Not that concentrated."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Super-refined 1983 Bordeaux with an excellent deep ruby color and intense cigar-box, plum and berry aromas and flavors; there´s even a hint of mint. It´s full-bodied but very reserved in style with fine tannins and a seductively long finish. Better after 1997.--The Bordeaux 50. –JS."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is a forgotten vintage for Mouton. There are pretty aromas of sweet Thai basil along with Asian plums. Full, soft and fruity. You might say it's almost jammy – but it's also so round and gorgeous. Love it now."

DECANTER: "This is a little more evolved than the other two 1980s wines in the lineup here. The 1983 vintage was a little more difficult in Pauillac than down in Margaux, but the evolution has been extremely slow and it still tastes hugely enticing, with cigar box and touches of underripe tea leaf notes balanced by some lovely soft cassis and brambly autumnal fruits edged with cold ash."

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Rubingranat, zart unterockert, breiterer Wasserrand. In der Nase feines rotbeeriges Konfit, nach Bienenwachs, feine tabakige Nuancen, vielschichtig, aber auch mit Reifetönen versehen. Am Gaumen frisch, mittlere Textur, finessenreicher Säurebogen, zarte Röstaromen im Abgang, mineralisch und anhaltend, feine Kaffeenoten im Abgang, ein angenehmer Speisenbegleiter, hat in letzter Zeit ein klein wenig abgebaut, mit viel Vergnügen zu genießen. Aus der Einzelflasche stellt man sich schon die Frage: Wie lange noch. Eher trinken."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The classic Mouton lead-pencil, cedary nose has begun to emerge. This medium dark ruby, elegant, medium-bodied wine will never be a great or legendary Mouton. The flavors are ripe and moderately rich. With good depth and some firm tannins to resolve, this offering from Mouton is bigger and richer than the 1981, 1979, or 1978. Austere by the standards of Mouton and the vintage, the 1983 resembles the chateau's fine 1966. Anticipated maturity: Now-2015. Last tasted, 10/90."