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

Ben Jones

9.1

Fresh tarmac and cooked berry on the nose. Very focused grenache. This wine makes me aware of Monterey's potential. Very good but I'm not sure I'd pay $48 a bottle for it. — 9 years ago

Spinning_spins

9.2

Highly slammable. — 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. — 10 years ago

with Barry

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.0

Saline, stone fruit, and a little feral Mourvedre edge. Not necessarily a patio pounder, but blossoms with food. Roast chicken anyone? #sandiego #kogodwinemerchant #letstaste10roses — 10 years ago

Nelson Fitch

9.1

Fatiguing, but good. — 11 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.0

This was really fun—went great with shrimp and grits and roasted oysters at Husk. Grapefruit, fresh strawberries and pink peppercorns — 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. — 8 years ago

Xavi Nolla

9.3

Eternal wine. #rioja — 9 years ago

Rebecca Toedter

9.0

Pearl clutching restraint. — 10 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

Oh hey yah! So enjoyable and laid back, but it'll give you something to think about if you are in Tha Mood. — 10 years ago

Peter Montoleone

8.9

Enjoyed this wine.
— 11 years ago

Patrick Berry

9.0

p good n cheap — 12 years ago

Craig O'Donnell

9.0

Smooth taste with a smooth finish light berries and plums — 7 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. — 8 years ago

Joe Lyons

8.9

Spice, dark fruit, blackberry judy wonderful drinking! — 9 years ago

with Michelle

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. — 10 years ago

Brett Wittman

9.4

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

David Monaghan

9.6

A real real treat — 11 years ago