This shows a ripeness and meatiness with plums and berry character. Very ripe and intense. A boot-kicking earthiness. Full and soft tannins. Long and flavorful. Superb fruit and intensity for a difficult vintage. (James Suckling, Feb 2018, 94 Pts)
The earliest harvest on record at Penfolds, the 1983 vintage was characterized by devastating bush fires, followed by enormous flooding in March. A blend of 94% Shiraz and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine has a surprisingly low pH (3.41) for a Grange, with an amazing 7.1 grams of acid per liter. The wine still shows considerable tannin in its flavors, but enormously powerful, rich, high acid characteristics. It is somewhat of a paradox to taste. Five years ago, it was exhibiting huge, powerful, concentrated flavors, but also high acid and high tannin. The wine seems very youthful, very backward, and still in need of at least another 4-5 years of cellaring. Whether it will all come together in a seamless classic remains open to conjecture. (Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 1st Feb 2002, 92 Pts)
