1983 Wines

No other red wine in Australia can rival the reputation, consistent quality or proven development pattern of Penfolds Grange. The pinnacle of the Penfolds red wine range, Grange is a rich, opulent, full-bodied Shiraz, destined for a long cellar life. The winemaking process involves great attention to detail; from selecting the best possible grapes sourced from low-yielding, old Shiraz vines through to fermentation and fastidious oak maturation. The unique and distinctive Grange style is based on ripe Shiraz fruit and stylish American oak in fine harmony. Appearance: Very deep black cherry red. Nose: Dense, powerful dark chocolate/spice/plum/briar and mint aromas with some oak-derived co...

No other red wine in Australia can rival the reputation, consistent quality or proven development pattern of Penfolds Grange. The pinnacle of the Penfolds red wine range, Grange is a rich, opulent, full-bodied Shiraz, destined for a long cellar life. The winemaking process involves great attention to detail; from selecting the best possible grapes sourced from low-yielding, old Shiraz vines through to fermentation and fastidious oak maturation. The unique and distinctive Grange style is based on ripe Shiraz fruit and stylish American oak in fine harmony. Appearance: Very deep black cherry red. Nose: Dense, powerful dark chocolate/spice/plum/briar and mint aromas with some oak-derived co...

One secret of the Dom Perignon style is its subtle and intriguing balance of youth and maturity. This balance allows the wine to age gracefully for an unlimited time. The Oenotheque label indicates that a Dom Perignon vintage has reached either its second peak in maturity, with optimised intensity (15 to 20 years after harvest), or its third peak, with optimised complexity (after 30 years on the lees.) It is only the cellar master who can determine when the wine has reached that optimal stage in its evolution, and only then will it be released as an Oenotheque. To guarantee its excellence, each and every Oenotheque bottle is tasted at disgorging by a Dom Perignon winemaker.

Our focus at present is on ‘new wave’ Vintage Ports. Newness in respect of the Douro Boys’ attachment to the single quinta concept, but stylistically, too: these VPs drink exceptionally well as young wines. As a rule of thumb, they are great drinks until 5 years’ age. Then they need to cellar for 10+ years. Easy! They are extraordinarily good value. What joy—ready-to-drink A Grade VP. The 83’s right in the slot (albeit with another 20 years up its sleeve!). Please note: **Sold as is - no refunds or returns accepted**

Bin D595. Medium to foil red; a sweet, gently chocolaty bouquet is penetrated by fine brandy spirit; the palate is still rich and full with touches of liquorice, brandysnap and spice, completed by a long, clean finish. (Bottled November 1983.)

It's medium amber in shade and the bouquet offers up a wondrous array of aromas, from old leather, old barrels and rancio to toasted nuts and dried fruits. It has very good length and richness and is quite sweet, although not as sweet as we expected. This results in a clean, dry aftertaste that really satisfies. It goes well with dried muscatels and nuts after a meal.

Medium to pale brick-red colour; tawny rim. Very stewy, tired, earthy, old wine bouquet, smells like a hot year! Raisiny, sweet and sour palate; not very attractive, but has fruit sweetness and some charm. Some firm, gritty tannins. Not a fine wine, but probably a fair representation of the vintage.

Very good vintage. Medium brick-red/russet colour. Earthy and ironstone, dried blood and sousbois aromas with some mint, red fruits and foresty characters. The tannins which would once have been rather rustic are now mellowed, and the wine has become almost elegant. Very good for such a tricky year, but the nose faded slightly in the glass.

Medium red to brick-red, aged colour. Superbly elegant, aristocratic bouquet of cedar, old leather armchair, spices, pepper and aniseed. Wonderful flavour: great intensity and elegance, a very stylish port with balance and harmony, line and length, and still with good tannin backbone starting to diminish with age. Extraordinary depth and penetrating length. An overall impression of great elegance. Has many years of life ahead of it.

Medium to full red colour, brick-red edges. Very meaty, charcuterie-like aromas, savoury, developed. Good lively palate with some intensity, but not a lot of flesh. A touch of mint. A leaner style, still drinking well.

Medium to deep red/brick-red colour. Peppermint aroma typical of the year. Sprightly spicy aromas and flavour, lively acidity and firm tannins which go hand-in-hand with the minty style of this vintage. Good solid backbone and length. Still drinking well and has more time in hand.

Tasting Note: An elegant dessert wine, deep gold in colour, showing a light, honeyed nose with a hint of marzipan. The palate displays honey and marzipan flavours, light and sweet with a finish of medium length. Food Recommendation: Try with an orange souffle. De Bortoli Wine Reviews and Accolades Trophy:1985 Swan Hill Wine Show Trophy: 1985 View International Australia Trophy: 1984 Swan Hill Wine Show 15 various Gold medals

The 1983 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve shows big, developed fruit characters on the nose with aromas of mulberries and chocolates (the latter from the bottle aging) as well as the spicy, smokey characters of old oak. On the palate, it is surprisingly soft, has very good acid, mouth filling flavour, a rich, round structure and big tannins.

Good balance and length, slightly metallic tannins but ok.

Colour: Walnut brown. Nose: Rich, sweet, fruitcake aromas, hints of liquorices and spiced shiraz fruit, horses' saddles and caramel vanilla. An incredibly complex nose, further buttressed by barrel aged, rancio complexity and toasty oak. Palate Great intensity and rich, ripe fruit flavours, yet with the capacity to show all of the aged characteristics associated with the now famous Para style. The spirit is not as obvious as the 1982, but still has considerable influence on the structure and overall balance of the final blend. A wine very true to the Para style of the 1930's.