Community Tasting Note

MrBrege wrote:

Monday, August 19, 2013 - From magnum. Opened and poured a quarter-glass, this was predictably closed, with prominent tannins and not much hint of the typical left-bank flavours (in fact it surprisingly seemed more of a sangiovese to me first off). Let it stand open in the cellar for 48 hours. Then poured a glass, which was still quite tight but much more typical of Bordeaux at least. Moved it into room temperature and left it for another 24h, and NOW it has opened up. Never met a 2003 that took quite so much coaxing, but I should have known since it's a Barton and he normally makes his wines unapproachable for at least 20 years.... I guess decanting for a day would have been the better tactic. In any case, this is now truly great. It has balance, structure and very, very good length. The tannins are still quite noticeable, yet it very smooth with fantastic intensity in both acidity and dark fruit (primarily cherries) with strong cedar wood notes. It is truly powerful in a terrifically orderly fashion. This would have been barely a 90 on the first day and not much more on the third. As I am drinking it now though, four days after opening, it is 94-95 and with potential for more. For being this region this is extremely good value even now.

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