Delectable Wine

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9.6

The 1983 Cristal is fabulous. Rich, ample and generous, the 1983 is incredibly inviting, with tons of class and personality. A wine of real volume and textural breadth, the 1983 has enough pedigree to drink well for many years. None of the elements stand out in the 1983, the whole is far greater than the sum of the parts. “Nineteen eighty-three is a different animal from some of the other wines of the decade,” Lécaillon explains. “It was a heavy crop, with a lot of fruit. There was so much wine in the cellar that the team could not get to everything in a timely fashion, and so there were some lots that started to oxidize a bit, and that, naturally, made the wine bigger.” In tasting, though, there are no off aromas or mushroomy flavors that suggest the wine is fading. If anything, the 1983 is spectacularly beautiful right now, even in the presence of other wines from more highly reputed vintages. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018) — 7 years ago

Panos Constantinides

9.0

At first we thought it was corked. After about an hour it started kicking off and probably with more time would even excel. Black and red cherry notes with earthy - leathery spices. Light, soft and balanced tannins. High rate for its age. — 8 years ago

Nick Davis

9.6

Delicate, finessed, lean. A feminine expression of a beautiful vintage, handled with gentle care. A real treat, to enjoy this rarity! — 9 years ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Very good bottle. Pure, restrained. Clear fruit with that funky, leathery thing but real balance. Excellent. — 9 years ago

with Howard, Tony and 3 others

Norma Partridge

9.4

So delicious! At the Rio Grill in Carmel after hiking Pt Lobos. — 10 years ago

Richard Kauffer

8.9

Too oaky for my liking — 11 years ago

Katie Muscarella

8.9

Great value rose! Very chillable and very drinkable. — 7 years ago

JJ Lumia

9.1

Big and brooding. Plum, currant, toasty oak, vanilla, and mocha notes. I have long been a big fan of the Medella Real Gran Reserva. Relatively easy to find. Great price. Always reliable. It’s one of those wines that will appeal to both the newly-initiated and experienced tasters. I also love that it’s so multifaceted. You can drink it alone or with a burger, and it has enough structure to pair with a steak. You won’t go wrong always having some of this on hand. — 7 years ago

Marya Afzal

8.9

Make sure you decant this one - it's wayyyyy better! — 9 years ago

Paul Costigan

Founder Courtier Wines

9.5

1973: Beautiful bottle. Wines like this make everyone stop and take notice. The color was clear and light. Arresting nose full of plums and roasted beets. The depth of flavor and long finish was in contrast with the appearance. Really a fine experience, only second to the few times I had the 1952 Mont Real. — 9 years ago

with Barry

Brett Wittman

9.4

Completely wonderful. Top of its game, not going any longer. Wonderful sherry oxidative notes. Flora and light. — 10 years ago

Siham Fayez Armache

9.5

A great wine for a special day. The name Casa Real is to honor Don Vicente Garcia Huidobro, whose title was given by the King of Spain in the 18th century.
It is the best of the chilean terroir, coming from the heart of Vale del Maipo. Preserved in French oak, it's a must! After "breathing" it gets even better. Cheers!
— 11 years ago

Marshall Parrish

9.5

Really great. Magnums make a difference. My first real magnum. — 11 years ago

James P Grover

8.9

Dark berries and a hint of orange peel, with a little graphite and stone. Medium acidity and tannins. Very good value, which is typical of the wines I’ve had from this producer. — 7 years ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Fresh, bright and vivid. A chalky, lime inflected front to the palate. Real vigor, salinity and drive. Excellent. Decades ahead — 8 years ago

with Lloyd, Walker and 2 others

Philip May

9.0

Lovely rich smokey and smooth. Majestic France — 9 years ago

Hasib Nasirullah

9.3

Awesome after dinner with some Stilton, grapes, and crackers. — 9 years ago

Patrick Blondin Sommelier

9.0

Très bon dans le genre! Moins mon style!! — 10 years ago

Mihir

10

Lite, fruity and slightly sweet.. Like it. — 10 years ago

Patrick Berry

9.0

p good n cheap — 11 years ago