Won half a case at a local retailer auction. $18 per bottle. An absolute steal. Classic St Estèphe! Big, bold and tannic. Still with a lot of fruit intact. Needed about 6 hours of decanting. Plenty of life remaining. Drink now through 2030.
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12.5% alcohol. The good long cork has a tiny patch of white mould at the top, but this is of no consequence; no wine penetration. Decanted a short 30mn ahead and served a bit too cold as a result of a last minute decision (sorry Lilian, I promise to take better care of you the next time...). Deep colour with no sign of ageing. Very good nose of fully ripe (but not cooked) blackcurrants. The mouth is even better, being juicy with excellent balance, plenty of peps and no hard tannins. No oak in evidence. This is a pretty perfect Médoc for my palate, showing off the glory of Cabernet-S softened by the hot vintage and a good dose of Merlot (I assume). Fine to drink now, but will keep improving for another five years, I think, and then last a further ten years.
These 2003 Crus Bourgeois of St Estèphe have all turned out very well, with the conspicuous exception of Haut-Marbuzet. When you add to that the reasonable price (low to mid teens in €), this certainly adds up to a repeat purchase.
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I was a bit concerned on pouring that this was a little cloudy. But it has stood up well in the cellar (purchased in 2009). Cherry and dark fruits with some classic Bordeaux elements. Not much tannin so this is not one for big steak. It falls off a bit short on the finish, but overall a decent wine. Will compare it up with a 2010 I have cellaring for another few years.
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Took some time to open up. A lot of funk and not much fruit on PnP. After about an hour the fruit came out of hiding. A bit think on the palate, but very nice for the price.
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Very good nose of blackberry and jam with a hint of charred oak. A little thin on the initial palate with some good dark fruit coming through. Not much tannins, but missing that velvety soft feel of an aged bordeaux. Very good QPR but just not outstanding.
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Tuesday Night Double Blind <$40 (Bin 75): Darker core, sediment, dull garnet bricking rim; cigar, red currant, some jam, smoke, green pepper; classic grain to the Cabernet fruit, some resolve, age, good balance; another nice '03, many are really coming into their own now.
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Consistent with my previous note, except less tannic and more ready to go. This is proving to be surprisingly good given its price point and the vintage.
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There wasn't much wrong with this wine, but as far as 50 bucks for a bottle goes, not even close to worth it. Dull. Had the Atreus brunello right before, and it killed this bottle, for the same price. Go with a different saint estephe if you want to try something from that appellation.
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Slow-oxed this for about four hours and it sang right from the first pour. Beautiful, powerful aromas of berries, flowers and leather fill the glass. Medium-to-full-bodied and bursting with delicious plum and dark currant fruit flavor. There's excellent depth and focus to the mid-palate. Notes of leather, spice and the unmistakable St. Estephe minerality grace the long, complex finish. The tannins are nicely integrated. Not a big wine, but chock full of Left Bank character. The terroir really shines through here. In its prime right now and drinking beautifully. 50+5+13+16+7=91
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What a difference food makes with this wine ... as to be expected for a Bordeaux, I suppose. Some light fruit on the nose. Not sure I got the "long, caressing finish" as noted by WS, but enjoyable all the same. Score [50 + 5 + 12 + 16 + 7 ] = 90.
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Decanted for 1.5 hours and served with braised pork loin. Iron, tobacco, black currants on the nose. On palate, medium body, plum, stewed red fruit profile, currants, medium+ acidty and medium finish. Better with food. Would not buy again given where this is priced in Atlanta ($40+). 89-90.
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Decanted for almost two hours. Throwing a fair amount of sediment. St. Estephe wines have a tendency to be lean, rustic, and tannic when young . My last tasting of this four plus years ago did not excite me. Much to my surprise this was was borderline IMPRESSIVE. It was tasted alongside the 2009, which seems to have gotten great reviews to date. Very perfumed nose, and complex aromas, clearly an aged Bordeaux, mostly spicy red currants and all red berries and fruits, with tobacco, and lots of earthiness. Had I not known the Appellation, I would have guessed St. Julien or Margaux. Nicely balanced, approachable and smooth. Great finish. This has developed nicely, seems to be drinking at peak and is excellent. Good for another 3-5 years.
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The color was dark red. There was no bouquet. When first opened the wine was unbalanced with significant oaky overtones, that I found unusual for this type of wine. I recently drank a bottle of the 2009 and in comparison the 2009 was fruiter with a nicer tanin base. As often happens, the 2003 was drunk over two nights, after being stored under vacuum. The second night the 2003 was softer and had better balance, it tasted like a typical Left Bank Bordeaux. Verdict -- if the bottle I drank was typical, the 2003 would benefit from decanting and some air exposure before drinking.
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pull this out to have with rigatoni with tomato sauce, thinking it would be on the lighter side of cab based Bordeaux - but it was significantly heavier and sweeter than I expected - almost to the point of being pruny like an overextracted zin. Still good, but not very complex.
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Well integrated flavors and little to no tannins remaining. Had with beef tenderloin and grilled vegetables. Went well with the beef but the vegetables overpowered the wine.
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This seems to have more depth and character than Ch. Ferrière 2003 which we had a few days ago. It has quite intense fruit with a touch of marmite and good length. This is drinking well now but has plenty of life.
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Tender, plumy tones dominate the aroma, with blackberry and blackcurrant showing as well. Faint floral tones, a hint of pencil shavings, and a mix of forest floor and fallen leaves combine with a spin in the glass.
Ripe and plush, with a red currant and cherry tone, the palate starts off bright and intriguing. Violets and dark chocolate blend with wild honey and tones of dried blueberries and butter toffee. This is an impressive wine, with an interesting amount of complexity, and a fascinating depth. Well integrated, with nicely balanced delicate tannins, this is a wine worth trying.
Like the last bottle, WOW. I was so dissappointed when I tasted my first bottle a few years ago, but with a little time, this is outstanding! Lots of cedar and a little bit of oak on the palate. Nice fruit in the middle and refined soft tannins at the end.
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Drank after a 1 hour decant. Soft, round red fruit upfront. Currant, raspberry, a little cocoa. Some dusty tannins. A little closed in the midpalate, but good overall balance. Hold next bottle for a year or two.
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This only serves to demonstrate how unpredictable 2003s are. I tasted this 3 years ago and there was not a hint of any grip, be it tannin or acidity. Now it is packed with it! Tarry oaky nose with plenty of cedar launches you into a wall of primary tannin. There's enough greenness to give the St estephe typicity too. Acidity and a little sweetness ease the finish. Bury your remaining bottles for 5-10 years.
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Basically it is closed in the first hour. Open up a bit afterwards, very typical St Estephe, dirt, dark chocolate, medium to full body. Nose is not strong. Spice, mint aftertaste with medium finish. Perhaps St Estephe is not my cup of tea but I really could not feel the elegance as in other left bank wines. It is a bit sweet perhaps due to the vintage. However, the price is very good to say the least.
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Un St-Estèphe issu d'un millésime chaud avec une trace d'évolution à l'oeil. Au nez cassis, cerises, mines de crayon et terre avec une touche de tabac, un nez tout de même classique. En bouche c'est mûr, avec des tannins assagis. Un léger creux en milieu de bouche par contre.
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Side by side with the '04. Fuller, riper fruit core. Clay. Both had a strong St Estephe finish. Significantly better than the '04 but this bottle doesn't warrant the 89 I gave back in March.
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Shy nose of currants. Palate was very round, but not quite jammy, with just a hint of dry tannins on the finish with an hour of air. palate with currants and blackberry, with a touch of funk and cedar and a lovely medium length finish with coffee, smoke, and gritty tannins. A good wine, I think at peak, as it doesn't seem to have the acidity to age. Still is a delightful plush bdx that it approachable out of the bottle. Good to drink up while waiting on '05 to come around. After a few days open the nose showed touch of funk with a fine green tone, what I find is typical of St Estephe. Held together nicely over that time.
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Soft, sweet, ripe and easy-to-drink claret. Some depth, but not the structure of the best. It is difficult not to like the 2003s, even if they are somewhat untypical.
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Good cassis, Cabernet rubber, fat and florals. Good balance, concentration and weight. Nice firm tannins on finish. Drinking really well. No watery note as per JR. Will be seeking more. 89+
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Nice aromatics which included cassis, cigar box, and a hint of dark fruit..On the palate this bordeaux was pretty straight foward and somewhat thin..I got some tobacco, pencil shaving but very little fruit..Good acidity and decent balance but nothing really stood out in this wine. Not bad for the price though...cheers!!
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Good, ripe, brooding Bordeaux with excellent balance. Great midpalate and finish. Pleasant tannins, well defined acidity surrounded by dark fruit, leather, smoke and hints of tobacco. Very obvious milk chocolate or even hot chocolate/cacao flavors. Oak is very much in check. The wine was decanted for 2 hours. Drink now with decant or keep for couple more years. Btw, when I said ripe, I meant it in relative terms. Alcohol is only 12.5%.
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Initially, rather austere and earthy with some dryish tannin masking the fruit. However, it did open out somewhat and became a little richer. Not as voluptuous as some 2003s, but perhaps it needs time to ripen up.
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Fairly ripe, with a slightly earthy quality; reasonable length. I think that we have had better vintages of this wine in the past, although this is pleasant enough.
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A decent enough cru bourgeois, with fairly ripe fruit, light to medium weight, slightly rustic with some residual tannin. Enjoyable, but not particularly memorable.
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Tasted after the wine had been decanting for 6+ hours.
Garnet in the glass. Highly aromatic, nose of cigarbox, glycerin, and cassis. Abundant flavor of cherry, cassis, cedar, and spicy vanilla. Velvety tannins on the finish. Quite tasty. Perfect balance, long finish.
Drink now through 2015.
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Too much tough leather and tannins for me. Nose hints that there might be something more but it's not really that evident. Palate in dominated by the tannins. maybe this wil improve in few years but I'm not convinced there's enough fresh fruit to make this any better.
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Fig, raisin and pine needles on the nose. Doesn't sit all that well on the palate - medium-bodied with ripe plum fruits but lacks real depth and freshness. Tannins have a green edge and the acidity is not well knit. Not a successful 2003.
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This is really excellent for what it is. Reddish fruits on the nose - raspberry/dried strawberry. On the palate, strikes me as almost more St. Emilion than St. Estephe. Brightish red fruit. Quite tasty but not particularly complex. Modest finish with still some tannin. 3-5 more years should settle it out. Great Bordeaux QPR at as I recall $16.99.
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Red plums and raspberries, noticable but ripe tannins, a bit of damp earth. Better with rarer parts of lamb than without food. Good for under $20 Bordeaux
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St.-Estephe, Bordeaux, France-"Very, very pure with plum, currant and light spices. Full-bodied, with racy, refined tannins and a long, caressing finish. Pretty and firm. Well done." This CRU BOURGEOIS SUPERIEUR has a great location, between Cos d' Estour
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ehhh, ummm, yeaahhh, hmmmm. way awkward and fidgety at first, then after a couple hours decanting, smoothed out. out came some leather, chocolate, some nice fruit, fairly tannic. still find it lacking in something, can't put my finger on it, plus a funky mouth feel, and a leaves something to be desired finish. nice wine, but for mid $20, it'll be the last bottle i buy. however...this may surprise you in 8-10 years. couldn't quite figure this one out, can't say i enjoyed it, but it did have some nice components.
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Aromas of raspberries and dark fruit. Flavors of juicy plums and berries, a hint of spice (cinnamon?), and a pleasant, lingering finish. I'm not a big Bordeaux fan, but this is really delicious and accessable.
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Perhaps I was expecting more - Licorice nose, very tannic (decanted 6 hours ago by the time of thie writing), black fruits seemed subdued. Acidic. Needs more time, 2 years? 3 years? just hope the fruit holds up.
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Notes from memory. Similar to the previous bottle, although not quite as enjoyable as the last bottle. More tannic and less expressive. I should have decanted this prior to serving.
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Big and vibrant, more red than black fruit. Earthy notes over the red berry fruit, eventually a bit of leather. Enough acidity to keep it lively, some substantial tannins for the level (not many good northern Medocs for $16). Probably the best under-$20 2003 Bdx I've tried
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Dark purple-hued red. The nose smells of black fruit, expresso, and tobacco. It is expressive but fairly simple at this point and smells slightly green. Very nice taste. Black fruit and licorice. It is very tannic, but delivers good flavor from the attack through the lingering finish. Maybe slightly hot on the finish. I really enjoyed this for the price, and expect that it will drink well for many years given the tannin and structure.
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Nose of violets. Soy and blackberry fruit, with a slight green streak on the midpalate. Young and moderately tannic, but drinkable. Good QPR at $18-19.
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Drank this with the 1996 vintage back to back/side by side. Very tasty rich Bordeaux with some time needed to mellow the tannins and develop the flavors. Leather/Tar/Raspberry/Chocolate flavors followed by the drying tannin at the end, a little bit-ey. Compared to the 1996, this one definately had the same backbone flavor, but harder tannin at the end, and also a distinctive "roasted marshmellow" or caramelized aroma that I really enjoyed. I just bought one bottle, but I'm going back to get more for the cave.
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2/1/2024 - Oliverl1 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Won half a case at a local retailer auction. $18 per bottle. An absolute steal. Classic St Estèphe! Big, bold and tannic. Still with a lot of fruit intact. Needed about 6 hours of decanting. Plenty of life remaining. Drink now through 2030.
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6/14/2020 - wgmccallum Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not a detailed note. Lovely aromas of oak, dark berries and flowers. On the palate, soft fruit with gentle acids and integrated tannins. In its prime.
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3/30/2020 - jellybear wrote: 87 Points
Still ok
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12/14/2017 - Eudemis Likes this wine:
12.5% alcohol. The good long cork has a tiny patch of white mould at the top, but this is of no consequence; no wine penetration. Decanted a short 30mn ahead and served a bit too cold as a result of a last minute decision (sorry Lilian, I promise to take better care of you the next time...).
Deep colour with no sign of ageing. Very good nose of fully ripe (but not cooked) blackcurrants. The mouth is even better, being juicy with excellent balance, plenty of peps and no hard tannins. No oak in evidence. This is a pretty perfect Médoc for my palate, showing off the glory of Cabernet-S softened by the hot vintage and a good dose of Merlot (I assume). Fine to drink now, but will keep improving for another five years, I think, and then last a further ten years.
These 2003 Crus Bourgeois of St Estèphe have all turned out very well, with the conspicuous exception of Haut-Marbuzet. When you add to that the reasonable price (low to mid teens in €), this certainly adds up to a repeat purchase.
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7/11/2016 - davo22 wrote: 88 Points
I was a bit concerned on pouring that this was a little cloudy. But it has stood up well in the cellar (purchased in 2009). Cherry and dark fruits with some classic Bordeaux elements. Not much tannin so this is not one for big steak. It falls off a bit short on the finish, but overall a decent wine. Will compare it up with a 2010 I have cellaring for another few years.
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5/14/2016 - mpdonnel Likes this wine: 88 Points
Took some time to open up. A lot of funk and not much fruit on PnP. After about an hour the fruit came out of hiding. A bit think on the palate, but very nice for the price.
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1/2/2016 - ddisler wrote: 89 Points
Very good nose of blackberry and jam with a hint of charred oak. A little thin on the initial palate with some good dark fruit coming through. Not much tannins, but missing that velvety soft feel of an aged bordeaux. Very good QPR but just not outstanding.
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10/20/2015 - Rezy13 wrote:
Tuesday Night Double Blind <$40 (Bin 75): Darker core, sediment, dull garnet bricking rim; cigar, red currant, some jam, smoke, green pepper; classic grain to the Cabernet fruit, some resolve, age, good balance; another nice '03, many are really coming into their own now.
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4/25/2015 - roybivens Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still drinking nicely. Enjoyable. Score [50 + 5 + 12 + 16 + 7 ] = 90.
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9/3/2014 - Dave Dalluge wrote: 89 Points
Consistent with my previous note, except less tannic and more ready to go. This is proving to be surprisingly good given its price point and the vintage.
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8/3/2014 - Johnfromspokane wrote: 85 Points
There wasn't much wrong with this wine, but as far as 50 bucks for a bottle goes, not even close to worth it. Dull. Had the Atreus brunello right before, and it killed this bottle, for the same price. Go with a different saint estephe if you want to try something from that appellation.
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2/16/2014 - Bam_Man Likes this wine: 91 Points
Slow-oxed this for about four hours and it sang right from the first pour. Beautiful, powerful aromas of berries, flowers and leather fill the glass. Medium-to-full-bodied and bursting with delicious plum and dark currant fruit flavor. There's excellent depth and focus to the mid-palate. Notes of leather, spice and the unmistakable St. Estephe minerality grace the long, complex finish. The tannins are nicely integrated. Not a big wine, but chock full of Left Bank character. The terroir really shines through here. In its prime right now and drinking beautifully.
50+5+13+16+7=91
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2/12/2014 - roybivens Likes this wine: 90 Points
What a difference food makes with this wine ... as to be expected for a Bordeaux, I suppose. Some light fruit on the nose. Not sure I got the "long, caressing finish" as noted by WS, but enjoyable all the same. Score [50 + 5 + 12 + 16 + 7 ] = 90.
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1/27/2014 - CWilliam wrote: 89 Points
Decanted for 1.5 hours and served with braised pork loin. Iron, tobacco, black currants on the nose. On palate, medium body, plum, stewed red fruit profile, currants, medium+ acidty and medium finish. Better with food. Would not buy again given where this is priced in Atlanta ($40+). 89-90.
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12/8/2013 - CUTig1 wrote: 89 Points
- Garnet color and aromas of phenolic and tobacco and has flavours of phenolic, black pepper, black currant and tobacco.
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9/2/2013 - Val D'Orcia wrote: 90 Points
Ready to drink. Not as big as some bordeauxs but nice, medium bodied, subtle and delicious.
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8/17/2013 - dragan o wrote: 90 Points
Fruit smell. Goed balance. Still need decant. Typical Bordoaux.
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4/27/2013 - wmccone54 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for almost two hours. Throwing a fair amount of sediment. St. Estephe wines have a tendency to be lean, rustic, and tannic when young . My last tasting of this four plus years ago did not excite me. Much to my surprise this was was borderline IMPRESSIVE. It was tasted alongside the 2009, which seems to have gotten great reviews to date. Very perfumed nose, and complex aromas, clearly an aged Bordeaux, mostly spicy red currants and all red berries and fruits, with tobacco, and lots of earthiness. Had I not known the Appellation, I would have guessed St. Julien or Margaux. Nicely balanced, approachable and smooth. Great finish. This has developed nicely, seems to be drinking at peak and is excellent. Good for another 3-5 years.
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1/2/2013 - La Grappe wrote: 85 Points
Medium weight, ripe and attractive claret. It lacks a little complexity, but is enjoyable. A decent enough cru bourgeois.
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12/21/2012 - 1512tnw Likes this wine: 87 Points
Definition of old world Bordeaux. A little funky, chocolate sensation when opened.
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11/7/2012 - SC OLY Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very earthy, with good fruit overtones. Not as big as I had hoped. Still a nice Bordeaux.
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7/31/2012 - Perthor01 wrote:
A while back but always delivers good quallity/price although I havent yet tasted later than 03
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6/17/2012 - shank wrote: 84 Points
This bottle, like the last, has lost some of its magic. Hope it is just a few bottles that are not quite up to the standard set by its predecessor's.
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5/5/2012 - dssmith wrote: 85 Points
The color was dark red. There was no bouquet. When first opened the wine was unbalanced with significant oaky overtones, that I found unusual for this type of wine. I recently drank a bottle of the 2009 and in comparison the 2009 was fruiter with a nicer tanin base. As often happens, the 2003 was drunk over two nights, after being stored under vacuum. The second night the 2003 was softer and had better balance, it tasted like a typical Left Bank Bordeaux. Verdict -- if the bottle I drank was typical, the 2003 would benefit from decanting and some air exposure before drinking.
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4/15/2012 - shank wrote: 87 Points
not as good as last bottle. CIgar box fades substantially after 2 hour decant.
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1/23/2012 - thirstyman wrote:
very ripe - almost roasted. Good fruit, structure fading. Slightly drying on the finish - but very smooth.
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11/6/2011 - paulst wrote: 90 Points
Well balanced round textured sweet tannins with smooth elegant but earthy blackberry; outstanding effort.
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11/5/2011 - Dswolcott wrote: 90 Points
Decent nose, oak, decent bordeaux
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7/9/2011 - tigerpaw75 wrote: 87 Points
pull this out to have with rigatoni with tomato sauce, thinking it would be on the lighter side of cab based Bordeaux - but it was significantly heavier and sweeter than I expected - almost to the point of being pruny like an overextracted zin. Still good, but not very complex.
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7/3/2011 - rmgambrel wrote: 90 Points
Well integrated flavors and little to no tannins remaining. Had with beef tenderloin and grilled vegetables. Went well with the beef but the vegetables overpowered the wine.
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7/1/2011 - JoshA wrote: 91 Points
Dried dark fruit flavors and ripe bright red fruits and smooth soft tannins. Delicious.
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6/30/2011 - La Grappe wrote: 88 Points
This seems to have more depth and character than Ch. Ferrière 2003 which we had a few days ago. It has quite intense fruit with a touch of marmite and good length. This is drinking well now but has plenty of life.
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3/30/2011 - La Grappe wrote: 85 Points
Ripe, slightly sweet fruit, with good depth of flavour. This is easy-going, not especially complex claret, but enjoyable.
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3/26/2011 - Winesinger78 wrote: 89 Points
velvety,slightly earthy with well integrated tannins. An elegant left banker.
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3/25/2011 - shank wrote: 89 Points
With Les and Sandy
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2/28/2011 - Tyler_at_WWD Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tender, plumy tones dominate the aroma, with blackberry and blackcurrant showing as well. Faint floral tones, a hint of pencil shavings, and a mix of forest floor and fallen leaves combine with a spin in the glass.
Ripe and plush, with a red currant and cherry tone, the palate starts off bright and intriguing. Violets and dark chocolate blend with wild honey and tones of dried blueberries and butter toffee. This is an impressive wine, with an interesting amount of complexity, and a fascinating depth. Well integrated, with nicely balanced delicate tannins, this is a wine worth trying.
Source: What's Worth Drinking: http://whatsworthdrinking.com/2011/02/28/post-128-red-bordeaux-week-pt-1-saint-estephe/
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2/28/2011 - paulst wrote: 91 Points
Light earthy silky with blackberry fruit; acidic and young; smooth with long finish.
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1/31/2011 - paulst wrote: 89 Points
Tar and leather nose; some soft blackberry; greenish at times.
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1/9/2011 - shank wrote: 90 Points
More cedar than before but still excellent! Nicely balanced.
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1/2/2011 - paulst wrote: 92 Points
Smooth texture; soft blackberry; complex; soft sweet tannins.
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12/13/2010 - shank wrote: 90 Points
Like the last bottle, WOW. I was so dissappointed when I tasted my first bottle a few years ago, but with a little time, this is outstanding! Lots of cedar and a little bit of oak on the palate. Nice fruit in the middle and refined soft tannins at the end.
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11/15/2010 - MichaelF wrote: 88 Points
Drank after a 1 hour decant. Soft, round red fruit upfront. Currant, raspberry, a little cocoa. Some dusty tannins. A little closed in the midpalate, but good overall balance. Hold next bottle for a year or two.
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7/17/2010 - Heather Smith wrote:
This only serves to demonstrate how unpredictable 2003s are. I tasted this 3 years ago and there was not a hint of any grip, be it tannin or acidity. Now it is packed with it! Tarry oaky nose with plenty of cedar launches you into a wall of primary tannin. There's enough greenness to give the St estephe typicity too. Acidity and a little sweetness ease the finish. Bury your remaining bottles for 5-10 years.
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5/25/2010 - dexterng wrote: 79 Points
Basically it is closed in the first hour. Open up a bit afterwards, very typical St Estephe, dirt, dark chocolate, medium to full body. Nose is not strong. Spice, mint aftertaste with medium finish. Perhaps St Estephe is not my cup of tea but I really could not feel the elegance as in other left bank wines. It is a bit sweet perhaps due to the vintage. However, the price is very good to say the least.
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5/24/2010 - ggb wrote: 87 Points
Un St-Estèphe issu d'un millésime chaud avec une trace d'évolution à l'oeil. Au nez cassis, cerises, mines de crayon et terre avec une touche de tabac, un nez tout de même classique. En bouche c'est mûr, avec des tannins assagis. Un léger creux en milieu de bouche par contre.
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5/14/2010 - lumpyelbow wrote: 85 Points
Side by side with the '04. Fuller, riper fruit core. Clay. Both had a strong St Estephe finish. Significantly better than the '04 but this bottle doesn't warrant the 89 I gave back in March.
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5/10/2010 - Nutty08 wrote: 88 Points
Shy nose of currants. Palate was very round, but not quite jammy, with just a hint of dry tannins on the finish with an hour of air. palate with currants and blackberry, with a touch of funk and cedar and a lovely medium length finish with coffee, smoke, and gritty tannins. A good wine, I think at peak, as it doesn't seem to have the acidity to age. Still is a delightful plush bdx that it approachable out of the bottle. Good to drink up while waiting on '05 to come around.
After a few days open the nose showed touch of funk with a fine green tone, what I find is typical of St Estephe. Held together nicely over that time.
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5/3/2010 - La Grappe wrote: 85 Points
Soft, sweet, ripe and easy-to-drink claret. Some depth, but not the structure of the best. It is difficult not to like the 2003s, even if they are somewhat untypical.
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4/28/2010 - shank wrote: 90 Points
much better than previous bottles. Full up front taste with a tiny bit tart, and medium finish.
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3/7/2010 - lumpyelbow wrote: 89 Points
Good cassis, Cabernet rubber, fat and florals. Good balance, concentration and weight. Nice firm tannins on finish. Drinking really well. No watery note as per JR. Will be seeking more. 89+
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2/23/2010 - Double-A Likes this wine: 90 Points
Cherry, currant, leather and sultana raisin nose. Focused and precise palate; currant and earth flavours; very long finish.
4/5
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2/21/2010 - SrWeaver wrote: 87 Points
Drank with John Wagner and Sasha. Would buy again
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11/11/2009 - vinopa wrote: 86 Points
Nice aromatics which included cassis, cigar box, and a hint of dark fruit..On the palate this bordeaux was pretty straight foward and somewhat thin..I got some tobacco, pencil shaving but very little fruit..Good acidity and decent balance but nothing really stood out in this wine. Not bad for the price though...cheers!!
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11/7/2009 - La Grappe wrote: 85 Points
This was fairly full, mature and showing signs of losing grip because it lacks a bit of acidity; not a bad example, but not great either.
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10/19/2009 - Eugene wrote: 90 Points
Good, ripe, brooding Bordeaux with excellent balance. Great midpalate and finish. Pleasant tannins, well defined acidity surrounded by dark fruit, leather, smoke and hints of tobacco.
Very obvious milk chocolate or even hot chocolate/cacao flavors. Oak is very much in check.
The wine was decanted for 2 hours. Drink now with decant or keep for couple more years.
Btw, when I said ripe, I meant it in relative terms. Alcohol is only 12.5%.
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10/7/2009 - La Grappe wrote: 85 Points
Initially, rather austere and earthy with some dryish tannin masking the fruit. However, it did open out somewhat and became a little richer. Not as voluptuous as some 2003s, but perhaps it needs time to ripen up.
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8/12/2009 - La Grappe wrote: 85 Points
Fairly ripe, with a slightly earthy quality; reasonable length. I think that we have had better vintages of this wine in the past, although this is pleasant enough.
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7/3/2009 - La Grappe wrote: 86 Points
Rather sweet for a Bordeaux, with ripe, soft fruit and some residual tannin. Attractive, but untypical claret.
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6/17/2009 - La Grappe wrote: 85 Points
A decent enough cru bourgeois, with fairly ripe fruit, light to medium weight, slightly rustic with some residual tannin. Enjoyable, but not particularly memorable.
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6/13/2009 - lauzzylulu wrote: 89 Points
still pretty tannic but good
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5/15/2009 - winetexan wrote: 88 Points
nice nose, tannins have smothed out, pleasan wine, but no exceptional qualities,
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5/8/2009 - THaas wrote: 91 Points
Consistent with prior note.
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4/27/2009 - shank wrote: 84 Points
Fruit was a bit unnoticeable. Pencil shavings prevalent.
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3/29/2009 - THaas wrote: 91 Points
Tasted after the wine had been decanting for 6+ hours.
Garnet in the glass. Highly aromatic, nose of cigarbox, glycerin, and cassis. Abundant flavor of cherry, cassis, cedar, and spicy vanilla. Velvety tannins on the finish. Quite tasty. Perfect balance, long finish.
Drink now through 2015.
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12/6/2008 - peetee wrote: 80 Points
Too much tough leather and tannins for me. Nose hints that there might be something more but it's not really that evident. Palate in dominated by the tannins. maybe this wil improve in few years but I'm not convinced there's enough fresh fruit to make this any better.
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10/3/2008 - shank wrote: 79 Points
Closed nose with dark fruit. Would not buy again!
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8/22/2008 - Art_Vandelay wrote: 79 Points
Fig, raisin and pine needles on the nose. Doesn't sit all that well on the palate - medium-bodied with ripe plum fruits but lacks real depth and freshness. Tannins have a green edge and the acidity is not well knit. Not a successful 2003.
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7/23/2008 - winetexan wrote: 88 Points
I generally agree with prior posts, pleasant wine for the money
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4/18/2008 - theusualsuspect wrote: 89 Points
This is really excellent for what it is. Reddish fruits on the nose - raspberry/dried strawberry. On the palate, strikes me as almost more St. Emilion than St. Estephe. Brightish red fruit. Quite tasty but not particularly complex. Modest finish with still some tannin. 3-5 more years should settle it out. Great Bordeaux QPR at as I recall $16.99.
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3/24/2008 - DaleW wrote:
Red plums and raspberries, noticable but ripe tannins, a bit of damp earth. Better with rarer parts of lamb than without food. Good for under $20 Bordeaux
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2/19/2008 - winolee wrote: 90 Points
St.-Estephe, Bordeaux, France-"Very, very pure with plum, currant and light spices. Full-bodied, with racy, refined tannins and a long, caressing finish. Pretty and firm. Well done." This CRU BOURGEOIS SUPERIEUR has a great location, between Cos d' Estour
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1/3/2008 - 4iron wrote: 85 Points
ehhh, ummm, yeaahhh, hmmmm. way awkward and fidgety at first, then after a couple hours decanting, smoothed out. out came some leather, chocolate, some nice fruit, fairly tannic. still find it lacking in something, can't put my finger on it, plus a funky mouth feel, and a leaves something to be desired finish. nice wine, but for mid $20, it'll be the last bottle i buy. however...this may surprise you in 8-10 years. couldn't quite figure this one out, can't say i enjoyed it, but it did have some nice components.
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12/18/2007 - jim dixon wrote: 89 Points
Medium body with typical Bordeaux nose of smoke, cedar, some graphite. Tannic but drinking nicely now.
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12/16/2007 - wahoo70 wrote: 89 Points
Aromas of raspberries and dark fruit. Flavors of juicy plums and berries, a hint of spice (cinnamon?), and a pleasant, lingering finish. I'm not a big Bordeaux fan, but this is really delicious and accessable.
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12/9/2007 - the drops of god wrote:
Drank it at the wine tasting event at Total wine and More. Drinking nicely right now. tasted lots of plum, and some spices, pretty wine.
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12/1/2007 - petec-s wrote: 85 Points
Nice looking, medium body, intense cassis nose, hint of spice, good claret palate, balanced, short finish, heated tannin/ 12.5%/ 15/16-20
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6/25/2007 - jimkay21 wrote: 87 Points
Perhaps I was expecting more - Licorice nose, very tannic (decanted 6 hours ago by the time of thie writing), black fruits seemed subdued. Acidic. Needs more time, 2 years? 3 years? just hope the fruit holds up.
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2/15/2007 - Dave Dalluge wrote: 88 Points
Notes from memory. Similar to the previous bottle, although not quite as enjoyable as the last bottle. More tannic and less expressive. I should have decanted this prior to serving.
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12/27/2006 - JonGray wrote: 89 Points
nice, elegant bordeax - enjoyed but not remarkable.
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11/29/2006 - DaleW wrote: 89 Points
Big and vibrant, more red than black fruit. Earthy notes over the red berry fruit, eventually a bit of leather. Enough acidity to keep it lively, some substantial tannins for the level (not many good northern Medocs for $16). Probably the best under-$20 2003 Bdx I've tried
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10/25/2006 - Dave Dalluge wrote: 89 Points
Dark purple-hued red. The nose smells of black fruit, expresso, and tobacco. It is expressive but fairly simple at this point and smells slightly green. Very nice taste. Black fruit and licorice. It is very tannic, but delivers good flavor from the attack through the lingering finish. Maybe slightly hot on the finish. I really enjoyed this for the price, and expect that it will drink well for many years given the tannin and structure.
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5/29/2006 - Siggy wrote: 88 Points
Nose of violets. Soy and blackberry fruit, with a slight green streak on the midpalate. Young and moderately tannic, but drinkable. Good QPR at $18-19.
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12/12/2005 - Jojox wrote: 89 Points
Drank this with the 1996 vintage back to back/side by side.
Very tasty rich Bordeaux with some time needed to mellow the tannins and develop the flavors. Leather/Tar/Raspberry/Chocolate flavors followed by the drying tannin at the end, a little bit-ey.
Compared to the 1996, this one definately had the same backbone flavor, but harder tannin at the end, and also a distinctive "roasted marshmellow" or caramelized aroma that I really enjoyed. I just bought one bottle, but I'm going back to get more for the cave.
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