Bordeaux Region Report

St Julien, 4th Growth Classification
Magnum Bottle

The 1985 Château Branaire-Ducru is a classic example of the elegance and balance that define the wines of Saint-Julien. This Fourth Growth estate has a long-standing reputation for producing refined and structured Bordeaux, and the 1985 vintage is a testament to its consistency. The year was marked by excellent growing conditions in Bordeaux, resulting in wines with rich fruit, soft tannins, and remarkable aging potential.

Upon release, the 1985 Branaire-Ducru displayed a medium garnet hue with slight browning at the edges, a sign of graceful maturation. The nose was inviting, offering aromas of ripe red cherries, currants, and spice notes such as cinnamon and clove. …
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Price: £249.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

St Julien, 4th Growth Classification
Half Bottle

The 1985 Château Branaire-Ducru is a classic example of the elegance and balance that define the wines of Saint-Julien. This Fourth Growth estate has a long-standing reputation for producing refined and structured Bordeaux, and the 1985 vintage is a testament to its consistency. The year was marked by excellent growing conditions in Bordeaux, resulting in wines with rich fruit, soft tannins, and remarkable aging potential.

Upon release, the 1985 Branaire-Ducru displayed a medium garnet hue with slight browning at the edges, a sign of graceful maturation. The nose was inviting, offering aromas of ripe red cherries, currants, and spice notes such as cinnamon and clove. …
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Price: £59.95
Stock: 4 in Stock

Margaux

Château La Gurgue, a notable estate in Bordeaux's Margaux appellation, has a history of producing wines that reflect the region's elegance and complexity. The 1985 vintage, characterized by favorable weather conditions, yielded wines with ripe fruit flavors and balanced structures.​

Tasting Notes

A tasting note from 2010 for the 1985 Château La Gurgue describes the wine as having a gorgeous dark ruby color with great legs. The nose shows blackcurrants and oak, with a somewhat woody character. On the palate, the wine is full, fruity, flavorful, and soft, with a round mouthfeel. ​

Serving Suggestions

When serving a mature wine like the 1985 Château La Gurgue, …
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Price: £79.95
Stock: 11 in Stock

Margaux

Château La Gurgue, a notable estate in Bordeaux's Margaux appellation, has a history of producing wines that reflect the region's elegance and complexity. The 1985 vintage, characterized by favorable weather conditions, yielded wines with ripe fruit flavors and balanced structures.​

Tasting Notes

A tasting note from 2010 for the 1985 Château La Gurgue describes the wine as having a gorgeous dark ruby color with great legs. The nose shows blackcurrants and oak, with a somewhat woody character. On the palate, the wine is full, fruity, flavorful, and soft, with a round mouthfeel. ​

Serving Suggestions

When serving a mature wine like the 1985 Château La Gurgue, …
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux

​Château Larmande, a historic Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé estate, has been producing wines since 1569. The 1985 vintage, now approaching four decades of maturity, offers a unique opportunity to experience the evolution of this esteemed estate's offerings.​
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Tasting Notes

A tasting note from 2017 describes the 1985 Château Larmande as having a nose of red berries, leather, sweet spice, autumn leaves, and a hint of farmyard. On the palate, it presents as medium-bodied with soft tannins, featuring flavors of red fruits, leather, and earthy nuances, leading to a smooth finish. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 9 in Stock

Pauillac 5th Growth Classification

Château Lynch-Moussas, a fifth-growth estate in Bordeaux's Pauillac appellation, has a storied history dating back to the 18th century. The 1985 vintage, known for its favorable growing conditions, produced wines with ripe fruit flavors and balanced structures.​

Tasting notes from well-preserved bottles of the 1985 Château Lynch-Moussas reveal a wine that has developed complex tertiary characteristics over the decades. On the nose, there are subtle hints of funk, followed by notes of pepper, miso, leather, mushrooms, tobacco smoke, and hay. Unfortunately, the fruit presence is minimal, indicating that the wine may have surpassed its optimal drinking window. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

Margaux, 4th Growth Classification, Bordeaux

Château Marquis de Terme, a distinguished fourth-growth estate in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, has a rich history dating back to the 18th century. The 1985 vintage is noteworthy for its favorable growing conditions, characterized by a warm, dry summer and ideal harvest weather, leading to wines that are balanced, supple, and fruity, embodying finesse. ​
Wine Spectator

After nearly four decades, the 1985 Château Marquis de Terme has matured gracefully, offering a bouquet of dried fruits, earthy notes, and subtle floral undertones. On the palate, it presents a harmonious balance with softened tannins and a lingering finish, showcasing the elegance typical of well-aged Margaux wines. …
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Price: £89.95
Stock: 8 in Stock

St Julien

1985 Clos du Marquis – A Rare & Elegant Saint-Julien
From the prestigious vineyards of Château Léoville Las Cases, the 1985 Clos du Marquis is a beautifully aged Bordeaux that showcases the finesse and complexity of Saint-Julien. Now at its peak, this vintage offers a rare opportunity to experience a mature Left Bank wine with exceptional depth and character.

Refined, Balanced, and Ready to Enjoy
With over four decades of careful aging, this wine displays a silky, well-integrated structure with layers of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, and earthy truffle. The tannins have softened gracefully, making this a harmonious and elegant Bordeaux with a long, satisfying finish. …
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Price: £119.00
Stock: 11 in Stock

Pauillac 4th Growth Classification

The 1984 Château Duhart-Milon is a well-aged Fourth Growth Pauillac, but it originates from a challenging vintage. The 1984 Bordeaux growing season was marked by cool, damp weather, leading to hard, austere Cabernet-based wines that lacked the balance for long-term aging. Now, over 40 years later, this wine remains a historical curiosity, though its drinkability will largely depend on careful storage.

Reports suggest that the 1984 Duhart-Milon is advanced in maturity, with a thin and delicate structure. While some bottles may still offer subtle earthy notes and hints of old Pauillac character, others may have faded beyond their prime. …
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Price: £89.95
Stock: 1 in Stock

St Emilion Grand Cru Classe

The Château Ausone 1983 is a fascinating vintage from one of Bordeaux’s most iconic estates in the Saint-Émilion appellation. While the 1983 vintage was somewhat overshadowed by the legendary 1982, it offered its own set of unique qualities, producing wines with elegance and charm. Château Ausone, known for its limestone terroir and meticulous craftsmanship, crafted a wine in 1983 that reflects the vintage’s character while showcasing the estate’s signature style.

Wine Overview
The 1983 Château Ausone is typically composed of a blend of:

Cabernet Franc (dominant): Contributing structure, floral aromas, and herbal complexity. …
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Price: £445.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

Pauillac 5th Growth Classification

Château Batailley, a fifth-growth estate in Bordeaux's Pauillac appellation, has a longstanding reputation for producing robust and age-worthy wines. The 1983 vintage, while overshadowed by the exceptional 1982, has matured gracefully over the decades, offering a unique tasting experience for enthusiasts of classic Bordeaux.​

The 1983 growing season presented challenges, including hot and humid weather that led to overripe grapes and the development of rot. However, a sunny autumn provided ideal harvesting conditions, resulting in generous and intensely fruity wines that developed more quickly than their 1982 counterparts. …
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Price: £66.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

Haut-Medoc, 5th Growth Classification

1983 Château Belgrave – A Well-Aged Bordeaux with Classic Character
The 1983 Château Belgrave comes from a vintage that experienced a warm, dry summer followed by rain at harvest, leading to some variability across Bordeaux. As a fifth-growth estate in the Haut-Médoc, Château Belgrave is known for producing structured and elegant wines, primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, along with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The 1983 vintage initially showed good depth and tannic structure, making it a candidate for long-term aging.

Now at over 40 years old, a well-preserved bottle of 1983 Château Belgrave will have evolved into a softer, …
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Price: £49.95
Stock: 2 in Stock

Moulis en Medoc

Château Chasse-Spleen, a distinguished estate in Bordeaux's Moulis-en-Médoc appellation, has a storied history of producing wines that embody the elegance and complexity characteristic of the region. The 1983 vintage, now approaching four decades of maturity, offers a unique opportunity to experience the evolution of this esteemed estate's offerings.​


Tasting Profile
With the passage of time, the 1983 Château Chasse-Spleen has developed a nuanced profile. Tasting notes from 2006 describe the wine as having a lovely faded blackcurrant nose with an earthy background. On the palate, it presents as round, spicy, and slightly earthy, leading to a nice long warm finish. …
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Price: £59.00
Stock: 8 in Stock

St Estephe, 2nd Growth Classification

This is a very fine 1983: Far superior on the nose to the 1988. Damson, mulberry and a touch of earth. Fine definition. Perhaps even a little mint leaf. The palate is well-defined with rounded, plummy damson fruit. Not complex but there is a vigour and charm here. Fresh acidity. Becomes quite minerally in the finish. Drinking superbly now.

Château Cos d'Estournel is a prestigious wine estate located in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux, France. Established in the early 19th century by Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel, the estate is renowned for its grand architectural style, including the iconic pagodas that distinguish its winery. …
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Price: £175.00
Stock: 3 in Stock

Cantenac (Margaux) 3me cru classe

The 1983 Château d'Issan is a beautifully aged Third Growth Margaux, offering a refined and elegant expression of this historic estate. The 1983 vintage in Bordeaux was highly regarded, particularly in the Margaux appellation, where wines developed excellent structure and longevity. Now, after over 40 years of aging, this wine presents a fascinating opportunity for collectors and lovers of mature Bordeaux.

With a deep garnet color and amber hues, the wine showcases a complex bouquet of red and black currants, subtle bergamot, and mint, with tertiary notes of cedar and tobacco. The palate remains medium-bodied and well-balanced, with softened tannins and a lingering, refined finish. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 3 in Stock

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux
Half Bottle 37.5cl

​Château Larmande, located in the Saint-Émilion appellation of Bordeaux, is one of the region's oldest estates, with a history dating back to 1585. The 1983 vintage, now over four decades old, offers a unique opportunity to experience a mature expression of this Grand Cru Classé wine.​

Tasting Notes

Specific tasting notes for the 1983 Château Larmande are limited. However, given its age, it's plausible that the wine exhibits tertiary aromas such as leather, tobacco, and earthy notes, with softened tannins and a harmonious palate. It's important to note that individual bottle conditions can vary, especially with wines of this age. …
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Price: £49.95
Stock: 15 in Stock

Pauillac 5me Cru Classe

*** 88 points Wine Journal ***

Reviews
"This has a light nose, mulberry, a touch of wild mushroom, sloe and a touch of caramel. Moderate definition. Palate is medium-bodied, quite rustic tannins, mulberry, touch of leather, the acidity a little sharp and attacking. Course, peppery finish." Neil Martin Wine Journal tasted 2009.

Château Lynch-Bages is an iconic wine estate located in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France. With a history dating back to the 18th century, the estate has established itself as one of the leading producers of exceptional red wines. Encompassing approximately 100 hectares, …
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Price: £179.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

Margaux

The 1983 Clos des Quatre Vents from the Margaux appellation is a mature Bordeaux wine that has developed complex characteristics over the decades.

Tasting Notes:
Deep garnet with a brick-red rim. A bouquet of dried fruits such as prunes and figs, interwoven with tertiary notes of leather, tobacco, and forest floor. Subtle hints of cedar and spice add to its complexity. Medium bodied palate with softened tannins, offering flavours of stewed blackberries, earthy undertones, and a touch of savoury minerality. The finish is smooth, with lingering notes of dried herbs and a hint of mocha. …
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Price: £89.95
Stock: 1 in Stock

St Emilion Grand Cru Classe

The Château Ausone 1982 is a highly sought-after wine from one of Bordeaux's most esteemed estates in the Saint-Émilion appellation. The 1982 vintage is legendary across Bordeaux for its near-perfect growing conditions, producing wines of exceptional quality, power, and aging potential. While Château Ausone had a slightly different style and reputation during the early 1980s compared to today, the 1982 remains a fascinating and historic wine, showcasing the estate’s unique limestone terroir.

Wine Overview
Château Ausone is celebrated for its small production and unparalleled terroir. The 1982 vintage likely includes a blend of:

Cabernet Franc (dominant): Adding structure, aromatic intensity, and floral and herbal notes. …
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Price: £585.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

St Julien, 4th Growth Classification

1982 Château Branaire-Ducru – A Benchmark Bordeaux from a Legendary Vintage
The 1982 Château Branaire-Ducru comes from one of the most celebrated Bordeaux vintages of the 20th century. The 1982 growing season was marked by warm, dry conditions and an ideal harvest, allowing for excellent grape ripeness and tannin development. As a fourth-growth estate in the prestigious Saint-Julien appellation, Château Branaire-Ducru has long been known for producing refined and structured wines that age beautifully over time. The 1982 vintage is no exception, offering a mature and expressive profile after more than 40 years in the bottle. …
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Price: £139.00
Stock: 1 in Stock

St Estephe, 2nd Growth Classification

Review by Robert Parker... "A spectacular performance for this wine, Cos d'Estournel's 1982 exhibits a dark ruby/purple color with light pink at the rim. Sweet aromas of jammy black fruits intermixed with roasted espresso and vanillin jump from the glass of this young, concentrated, full-bodied, succulent effort. An opulent texture, low acidity, and splendidly pure, concentrated, blackberry and cassis fruit suggest this 1982 can be drunk now, or cellared for another 15-20 years. An awesome wine!" Wine Advocate, 2000

Château Cos d'Estournel is a prestigious wine estate located in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux, France. …
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Price: £495.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

Listrac (Médoc) Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel

Château Fourcas Hosten, located in Bordeaux's Listrac-Médoc appellation, has a history dating back to the 18th century. The 1982 vintage, celebrated for its exceptional quality across Bordeaux, yielded wines with remarkable richness and aging potential.​

Tasting Notes

A tasting note from 2013 for the 1982 Château Fourcas Hosten indicates that the wine had "held up very well," with "lots of fruit on the palate even after 31 years in a cellar." This suggests that, at that time, the wine maintained its fruit character and structure.​
CellarTracker

Serving Suggestions

When serving a mature wine like the 1982 Château Fourcas Hosten, …
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Price: £79.95
Stock: 23 in Stock

Pauillac, Cru Bourgeois

​Château Pibran, located in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, has a history dating back to the early 20th century. The 1982 vintage is particularly noteworthy, as it is considered one of the finest in Bordeaux's history, producing wines with exceptional richness, concentration, and aging potential.​
The Wine Cellar Insider

Tasting Notes

While specific tasting notes for the 1982 Château Pibran are limited, one community member described it as having an excellent nose and being very pleasant to drink, awarding it 87 points. Given its age, the wine likely exhibits tertiary aromas such as leather, tobacco, and earthy notes, with softened tannins and a harmonious palate. …
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Price: £65.00
Stock: 3 in Stock

Pauillac, Cru Bourgeois

​Château Pibran, located in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, has a history dating back to the early 20th century. The 1982 vintage is particularly noteworthy, as it is considered one of the finest in Bordeaux's history, producing wines with exceptional richness, concentration, and aging potential.​
The Wine Cellar Insider

Tasting Notes

While specific tasting notes for the 1982 Château Pibran are limited, one community member described it as having an excellent nose and being very pleasant to drink, awarding it 87 points. Given its age, the wine likely exhibits tertiary aromas such as leather, tobacco, and earthy notes, with softened tannins and a harmonious palate. …
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Price: £59.00
Stock: 2 in Stock

Saint-Julien, 2nd Wine

Built in 1565, Château Beychevelle has long been celebrated for its exceptional wines. It was recognised as a Fourth Growth estate in the prestigious 1855 Bordeaux classification, and today the team continues to uphold its stellar reputation. This Amiral Beychevelle from the 1981 vintage is their second wine – made with the same care and precision as their grand vin, but from younger vines and with a higher proportion of Merlot in the blend.

Tasting Notes:
Deep garnet hue with slight bricking at the rim, indicative of its maturity. Evolved bouquet featuring notes of dried black fruits, cedar, and subtle earthy undertones. …
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Price: £139.00
Stock: 2 in Stock