Chateau Haut Brion 1983

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This wine has exceeded my expectations. It has reached full maturity quickly, but its penetrating fragrance of cedar, roasted herbs, black fruits, and tobacco is hard to ignore. Soft and succulent, with medium body and plenty of luscious, concentrated jammy fruit, this rich wine is typical of Haut-Brion in its softness and smooth, velvety-textured finish. I would recommend drinking it over the next 10-15 years as it is revealing considerable amber at the edge. Last tasted, 6/93.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at lunch at La Trompette. I have always had a soft spot for the Haut-Brion 1983 as one of the “friendliest” of the First Growths. Though not a top-tier Haut-Brion, the 1983 has developed a fine earthy, leathery bouquet that is similar to the ’86 but without the same vigour or complexity. The palate is very harmonious with a citrus-tinged entry, its lack of depth and length compensated by poise and tension. Sandalwood, cedar and a touch of truffle and smoke towards the finish. Lovely. A point. Drink now-2010. Tasted July 2010.

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Last Tasted 8/92 While the 1983 continues to improve in the bottle, it is already fully mature, giving further credibility to those who have claimed that most 1983s are maturing at a surprisingly fast pace. The 1983 is the first Haut Brion of the eighties to display amber at the edge. The nose offers fragrant aromas of grilled nuts, herbs, smoke, and sweet black fruits. The wine is medium to full-bodied, as well as surprisingly voluptuous and rich, with a soft, velvety finish. I remember this as being an unexciting young wine, but it has come of age in the last 3-4 years, and should easily hold at this plateau for a decade where well-stored.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

First tasted in March 2001: mature expressive savory nose with notes of cedar and pencil-lead. Quite sharp acidity - quite a "kick" on the palate. Not as complex as say 1975: its quality above Latour but below Mouton for this vintage. Cranberry and spice on the finish. Drinking very well now. A lovely bottle at Braidwoods in October 2003: This bottle on the other hand was singing. A spicy, slightly bretty nose that complements the wine rather than dominates it. The palate is open and expressive, well-balanced and vigorous. It lacks the complexity of the 1982 or the structure of the 1986, but it is harmonious and classic Bordeaux: pencil-lead and cigar-box with a smoky finish. Drinking now.

robert_parker87

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The fully mature 1983 is a very good wine that has fine depth, rich, soft, fat, lush fruit, and a good measure of soft tannins in the finish. The overall impression is of a forward, ripe, and voluptuous wine. It is successful, but by Haut-Brion's recent standards, the wine lacks excitement and has reached full maturity at an alarmingly fast pace. Of relatively mature Haut-Brions, this vintage, along with the 1978, has a very distinctive melted road tar (asphalt) component in its aromatics. Anticipated maturity: Now-2004. Last tasted, 7/97.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the “First Growth” lunch in London. Compared to Latour, Haut-Brion wins hands down. Similar to the bottles back in 2003, it has lots of dried herbs on the nose: thyme and a touch of rosemary. Cedar and pencil-lead, then with time an unusual scent of peppermint emerges (indeed, it has semblances to a Pauillac.) The palate is medium-bodied with good vigour, notes of blackberry and leather coupled with a smooth, harmonious texture. A touch of dryness creeping in towards the finish, perhaps just a little leafy and not great depth, but it does have some lovely smoked meat flavours towards the finish and it lingers quite seductively. It is one of those wines where less is more. Drink now-2015+ Tasted October 2008.

robert_parker89

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted single blind at the Fine Wine Experience horizontal in London. This has a moderate garnet core. Good lift on the nose, if not particularly complex upon acquaintance. Deserves some time, notes of briary, a touch of black olive, a hint of dark chocolate but all quite restrained and tightly coiled, lacking the complexity of Gruaud ‘83. The palate is medium-bodied, good acidity, very natural and elegant. Fully mature, vibrant, nice poise once again and very fresh – this wine really begs you to take another sip. Not a great deal of depth but the tannins seem very fine on the finish with a touch of sour cherry on the aftertaste. Fades a little in the glass. Drink now-2012. Tasted October 2008.

robert_parker88

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A somewhat controversial Haut-Brion, this wine reached full maturity at a shockingly fast pace and seems now to be giving signs of cracking up. A very earthy, melted asphalt, creosote-like nose intermixed with compost, decaying autumnal vegetation, and herb-tinged fruit is actually more appealing than it might sound. In the mouth the wine is fleshy, medium-bodied, relatively lush, but the garnet color is showing considerable amber, and the finish starts to dry out after the wine sits in the glass for just a mere five minutes. And of course, I have tasted this wine from pristinely stored bottles, so I suspect those that have been less than perfectly stored are probably already in serious decline. Anticipated maturity: Now. Drink up. Last tasted, 11/02.