1983 vintage: a question of provenance

BORDEAUX 1983 vintage was a good vintage. Its disadvantage was that it immediately succeeded the historic 1982 vintage and as a result did not get the attention and accord it deserved. At 34 years' age today, the interesting question is: "How well is it holding?" To answer this was the agreeable reason for our small gathering of oenophiles to sample last week a few of the top wines of the vintage - Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Cheval Blanc and Lafleur.

Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1983

Medium-dark brownish red, with a lovely full bouquet, fragrant with ripe berry aromas, lots of cedarwood, long and lingering flavours of ripe fruit, and a haunting transparent texture. But showing early signs of decline. Needs drinking up.