Grand Puy Lacoste is a Château that continually overperforms as a 'quintessential Pauillac'. That being said the 1983 is now fully evolved, no longer displaying the classic characteristics but is loaded with aromas of black tea and leather. The tannins are completely resolved and the wine is fresh but fully mature. The finish lacks length and I feel this would have been at its peak a decade ago.

Fully mature, this medium to dark ruby-colored wine reveals an attractive spicy, blackcurrant aroma with the ever-present 1983 weediness making itself more apparent as the wine has evolved. Soft, round, with good rather than superb concentration, this low acid, alcoholic example of Grand-Puy-Lacoste possesses enough tannin to last for another 6-8 years. Last tasted, 5/93.

The 1983 has a very attractive bouquet whereby the Merlot seems very expressive, offering lifted red rather than black fruits, intermingling with melted tar and cedar. The palate does not quite match the promise of the nose: a little heat on the entry and not as harmonious as I would have liked. Nevertheless, there is good depth here with succulent cranberry and redcurrant towards the finish, but it is dwarfed by the 1982. Tasted September 2011.

Fully mature and not going to get any better, yet a solid Pauillac, the 1983 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a ruby/plum hue with some solid amber at the rim as well as a woody, mature nose of darker fruits, smoked tobacco, old leather, and cedar pencil. Medium-bodied, reasonably well-balanced, and enjoyable, it's still hanging on and offers a satisfying, if uninspiring, drinking experience. Drink up.