2023: May 25 - 1983s

What happened?
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winesecretary
Fonseca 1980
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Re: 1983s, Thu 25 May 2023, at B&F

Post by winesecretary »

Firstly, my most sincere thanks to Tom for originating this tasting and for supplying most of the wines from his own cellar. Secondly my thanks to Alex for his logistical assistance to Tom. Thirdly my thanks to my convivial and witty fellow guests for making some who is a bit harried at the moment forget his cares for a couple of hours.

1983 is not on this showing a classic year for vintage port. Despite the admirable storage and provenance many of the wines were either marred or simply not very good.

I thoroughly enjoyed the process of coming to this conclusion, however, which just goes to show.
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nac
Fonseca 1980
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Re: 1983s, Thu 25 May 2023, at B&F

Post by nac »

Thanks also to Tom & Alex.

My thoughts about the 83s (that we had) align with George's. Some duff bottles; too many disappointing wines; a few good, but not great, wines; won't be rushing out to buy any unless real bargains. Will post my very brief notes.
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jdaw1
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Re: 1983s, Thu 25 May 2023, at B&F

Post by jdaw1 »

Thank you to Tom + Alex.

Initially, I didn’t join this tasting, because I don’t rate ’83s. Then I decided that thirst was important, so — late — joined. And ’83s are still poor. The best are good but not great; most are not VP grade.
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jdaw1
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Re: 1983s, Thu 25 May 2023, at B&F

Post by jdaw1 »

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jdaw1
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Re: 1983s, Thu 25 May 2023, at B&F

Post by jdaw1 »

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Lucas S
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Re: 1983s, Thu 25 May 2023, at B&F

Post by Lucas S »

Wow that's a strong result for SW and QH, will have to try some.

Shame RP83 wasn't served, iirc it has done well in the past.
winesecretary
Fonseca 1980
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Re: 1983s, Thu 25 May 2023, at B&F

Post by winesecretary »

In an idle moment I have just looked up Mayson’s list on Decanter.com which is basically our top six plus D, W, and T where he must have had better bottles.
Justin K
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Re: 1983s, Thu 25 May 2023, at B&F

Post by Justin K »

Thanks Tom and Alex. On looking back at the 30 year tasting back in December 2013 it’s like déja vu! No outstanding Ports so maybe we just have to write off that year. One or two might be going through a dumb phase but on balance I think many are past it. A few ranked as good but no very good rankings from me (one 8, 4 x 7’s and 4 x 6’s no 5’s a couple of 4’s, 3’s and 1 x 2 were my points out of 10). I’m not overstocked with 83’s, DG, and won’t be buying anymore.
M.Charlton
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Re: 1983s, Thu 25 May 2023, at B&F

Post by M.Charlton »

My thanks to Tom and to Alex for organising this one, and especially to Tom for providing so many of the Ports. It was a shame that most of the wines were less than good, particularly so in the case of the NN. However, it was good to see how well the "second label" wines stood up relative to their bigger siblings!
Andy Velebil
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Re: 1983s, Thu 25 May 2023, at B&F

Post by Andy Velebil »

Really nice to read people’s impressions of this vintage. I would agree, it’s a vintage that didn’t turn out so great for many producers. While I have my own thoughts, I’d love to sit down with a few of the “old guard” and ask what caused the early 80’s to be such a mine field. I’m sure there is no one reason, but I’d love to get a better overall reason.
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Alex Bridgeman
Fonseca 1966
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Re: 1983s, Thu 25 May 2023, at B&F

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

I'm not afraid to have a contrarian view - but in this case I don't. I enjoyed more of the wines than most people did (and have just finished posting my tasting notes) but agree that there are no blockbusters in the vintage, although there are several I would drink with pleasure if offered the chance to do so.

However, it is by deliberate choice that I own a relatively small number of bottles of 1983 VP. More than I do of 1972 or 1975, but less than I do of 1994.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
Glenn E.
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Re: 2023: May 25 - 1983s

Post by Glenn E. »

It has been my opinion for some time now that the bulk of 1983 VPs are better than the bulk of 1985 VPs. But also that there are no outstanding 1983 VPs to compare to the small handful of outstanding VPs from 1985. You might be able to make an argument for RP83 or Ck83, but in the latter case only if it isn't corked.

I think many people focus too much on F85, G85, D85, et al and fail to realize just how poor most of the rest of the VPs are from that vintage. Absent the top 5 from 1985 (add your 2 favorites to my 3 here), I would rather drink the same Port from 1983 in most cases.

That said, like Alex I don't own very many bottles from 1983. I don't really see the point in owning something that is "merely good" from 1983 when I can own something exceptional from 1980 or 1985 instead.
Glenn Elliott
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