1983 Vosne Romanee Les Suchots

Usually the top wine from Arnoux, the Vosne-Romanee Les Suchots shows less complexity than the 1980 and 1978 did at a similar stage, but has a deep color, hard tannin, plenty of power and fruit, and a dry finish. It needs 7-8 years. Interestingly, Arnoux bottled his 1983s very early, in late winter of 1985. He employed 30 new oak barrels for the 1983 vintage. Arnoux made good 1983s, but given a choice I would opt for his lineup of 1980s and 1978s over these wines. My main criticism of the Arnoux 1983s is that they are extremely tannic, perhaps even excessively so.