1983 Chateau Leoville Las Cases St. Julien

(91 Points) This tasting consisted of each of the varietal components of Las Cases, followed by the final blend for Leoville-Las Cases. The 1983 Merlot was fully mature, displaying medium ruby color with some amber at the edge, a curranty, coffee, herb, olive-scented nose, good body and spice, and sweet fruit flavors. It needs to be drunk up. The light-bodied, loosely-knit 1983 Cabernet Franc exhibited plenty of spicy, cedary fruit, and an attractive suppleness. This youthful and vibrant wine requires drinking. The low-acid, cedary, fat Cabernet Sauvignon was close to full maturity, with excellent richness and intensity, and a supple, soft finish. The disappointing Petit Verdot revealed a damp, earthy, fecal-like aroma, high acid and tannin, and a hollow, tough finish. The fully mature 1983 Leoville-Las Cases possessed a deep ruby color with no signs of lightening. An open-knit, smoky, cassis, and cedary-scented nose was followed by a supple, rich, medium to full-bodied wine with excellent definition, outstanding ripeness and concentration, and a spicy, soft, velvety-textured finish. Drink this wine over the next 12-15+ years. Wine Advocate # 101, October 1995