Community Tasting Note

Cailles wrote:

Sunday, May 7, 2023 - Bordeaux 2003 – 20 Years On – 33 Reds: All wines tasted blind, not decanted (some wines would have needed it). Observations: 1) 2003 is not a good vintage. The wines don’t have the depth and elegance of good years. But I was positively surprised, that while it’s clearly a hot year, there are less overripe, over-extracted and prematurely dying wines than in 09/10. Still, there is no comparison to how Chateauxs handle hot years today. 2) Compared to five other vintage retrospectives, the 2003 came in last place (lower average score than 2011), with just Chateau Margaux reaching a group score above 95pts. 3) Margaux wines showed best, with the typical immediate charm, while St. Estephe and Pauillac have potential but will need more time (and/or would have needed more air). 4) Right bank wines did not show as good with some alcohol showing and a few wines being on a downhill path. I would not chase 2003 right banks.

TN: Intense nose, dark fruited and luxurious oak notes. On the palate ripe but not too ripe. Some coffee notes come with the dark fruit notes. Not overly deep but still quite round and harmonious. While not an overly exciting wine, this was another Pauillac that handled the hot vintage quite well. No comparison, however, of the quality level the winery achieved today.

Decanting: Good from the go, no extensive decanting needed.

Group average: 90.3 pts
Group rank: Shared 21st out of 29 reds

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