A very successful and tasty 2003 that may outlive some of the first growths. Shows a good combination of red fruit and secondary characters like underbrush, leather, and cigar, this wine benefited from an hour of air. It has plenty of intensity and a long finish, and was a party crowd pleaser! Drink now or hold for 5+ years.
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The wine is still singing and there is no decline in the eye sight, yet I see no reason to store it any further. This is one gorgeous ripe yet restrained Bdx fully developed yet demonstrating a perfect balance between tertiary notes of leather and cigar box on one hand and perfectly ripe (but not overripe) black and red fruits on the other. Ink, road dust, wet slate and pencil lead provide an extra support just in case you are not convinced. Initially I gave it a 94, but in the end added an extra point for the length of finish and the classyness of the flavour profile.
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I don't mind riper Bordeaux but this was too far for me. Very dark in the glass, would have guessed very recent vintage. Just too ripe for my tastes. Reminds me of how I fee about Ridge Pagani, just too much. $33.99 from Premier Cru so I can't complain too much.
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Had with Yak Tomahawks and wild mushrooms, very nice bottle of Malescot, red fruits, cedar, a hint of pipe tobacco and toast. Cassis ,with a hint of red fruit underneath , tannins are polished and nearly all gone, bit uni dimensional but not flat, still lots of fruit and sitting nicely on its plateau. Yes its from a hot year but that does not show through in this wine. Don't see this getting much better but will keep another 5/10 years for sure.
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Robe franchement rubis, lumineuse. Le premier nez est séducteur, plus fruit rouges que noirs, grenadine, l'élevage arrive plus tard, mais bien intégré, plutôt léger moka que vanille, petite note végétale noble qui donne du reps. Très délié, frais, fruit acidulé, avec un profil longiligne et délicat, petit retour d'élevage en finale. Personne ne part à l'aveugle sur 2003. Au réchauffement, il prend un peu de volume, et de richesse, sans jamais partir sur l'alcool ou le sucre. Bref une superbe réussite (encore) sur 2003. 93-94. Peut-être un petit manque de complexité, mais donne beaucoup de plaisir et est prêt à boire.
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This was guzzled at a nice restaurant with red meat. I think you can tell it's from a hot vintage, but the cabernet still gave it some structure and there was some nuance. A very nice $39.00 bottle stored since release. I will drink my other bottle soon. Excellent.
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Delicious. Dark ruby color with a touch of bricking. This one is an umami bomb. Plenty of roast meat, leather, cedar pencil, and all things delicious and savory. I’ve been working my way through a case of this stuff, and this one has been worth the wait. If you’ve got a bottle of this, I suggest pulling the cork. It is absolutely delicious and it is unlikely to get much better
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Blackberry, strawberry, cigar box, gravel, graphite, leather, very classic nose; beautiful, balanced, poised, developed, graceful, long finish; excellent and in an excellent drinking window After 1 Hour: More integrated, more powerful, more robust; though not especially dynamic, it is beautiful with a certain simplicity
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This is a very pleasant, ripe bottle of wine in reasonable balance with good, dark fruit. Not the most elegant but would gladly drink this wine. Not falling apart anytime soon 92-93
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I am surprised at how consistently good a solid Bordeaux is. It is good to the point of being boring with all its cassis, graphite and cigar box. Black fruits are complicated by notes of red raspberries in this wine. IMHO this bottling Is at its peak, drink now and for the next 5 years.
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Very good with nice texture and body. Dark fruits and cassis, but missing some of the earthiness and spice that I so enjoy from Bordeaux. Plenty of life left and I would purchase again for the right price.
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45 minutes of air. Nice ruby color, with a touch of bricking at the edges. Plenty of black fruit up front. Tannins are nearly all gone, and there is some juicy acidity on the mid-palate that keeps things lively.
A couple of hours later, this is drinking really well. I agree with others who have suggested that there is no reason to wait. Drink ‘em if you got ‘em!
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Decanted at restaurant, nice color, my thoughts mirror those of Vancouver on 3/28/21. My cellar has had little restocking since I have not ventured out for 13+ months to buy wine.
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This was another casualty as we enter month 13 of the lockdown and the relentless assault on my cellar continues....
Medium ruby appearance with little or no sign of lightening.
Pronounced and evolved nose of black fruits, cassis, vanilla, spice and some floral elements (maybe violets). The nose is just gorgeous and shows no sign of fatigue.
Medium plus body with plenty of acidity and tannic structure. the mouthfeel is wonderful and some further savory elements are revealed on the palate. The finish is definitely long.
Just a great example that totally refutes the reputation of this being a "cooked" vintage. This bottle was purchased on release and has been stored properly ever since. Bottles stored properly will probably last another decade at least.... but no real reason to wait.
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This bottle was better 3-5 years ago. Still good but dried out a bit at the moment. Might well come back into its own again. Still good but not punching above its weight as it was. Still loads of fruit and tannin so I am hopeful.
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Absolutely delicious and in a great drinking window. A rich garnet colour indicates its age, but this still has plenty of life and energy too. Lovely complex nose of rich cassis and plums, and secondary notes of floral, graphite and tobacco. In the mouth, it was really well balanced, with rich dark fruits, a lovely silky feel, and plenty of energy across the palate. Finish was medium/long with sweet tannins, and even a hint of caramel towards the end. Loved this.
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Slight brick rim, notes of animal fur, plums, cassis, leather, tobacco, perfectly balanced and very lengthy, everything is singing in harmony. Very rich and tannic, still youthful, at least a decade ahead of it yet drinking perfectly now. A gorgeous Margaux.
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Nez superbe de fruits noirs, tabac,cuir. En bouche tout est bien fondu, c est rond, bien balancé et équilibré. Belle longue finale. Probablement à son mieux.
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Drinking beautifully and still going strong. Ripe fruit, cassis, cherries, black berries. Fantastic acid and integrated tannins. And an endorsement from my 17 year old daughter ‘my birth year smells amazing’
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-- decanted approx. 30 min. before initial taste -- -- tasted non-blind over 2 – 3 hours --
NOSE: ripe, dark red/purple fruits; smoky; oaky; sour oak (tertiary); hint of wet cement.
BODY: fairly youthful color --- violet color of great depth with a hint of bricking throughout; medium-full bodied.
TASTE: flavors mirror the aromas: very ripe fruits; oaky; surprisingly good acidity (for an '03); big; alc. is noticeable; Drink Now and over the next 10 years. Ashley's gut impression score: 89, which is same as my long-form score, below.
50, 5, 11, 16, 7 = 89
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This is very ripe but maintains a sense of elegance. Black raspberries, hints of caramel and baking spice. A little too sweet and lacking acidity for balance. Prior bottles have been better.
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Decanted for 1.5 hours. Nose of blackberry, black cherry, currant, tobacco leaf, dried herbs, cocoa powder and licorice. Ripe black and red fruit, tobacco leaf, licorice, coffee and forest floor. Very long, fruit forward finish. Medium to full bodied. Served with grilled Greek tenderloin steaks.
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As promised drank soonish (6 months) and was just as good. Very similar note. Nicely complex, delicious wine.
Well balanced, good and tasty - nicely sweet with black cherry and dark currant fruit, rounded tannins and a lovely sweet smooth finish. Enough BDX complexity and interest as well.
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This is the bottle I opened but not the wine I’ve had! Totally faked or doctored.
I’ve had enough of this wine and comparable Bordeaux’s to know this was not right.
Probably an over the hill (2000-2004) Australian or California Cabernet that is over oak’d, fruit forward, from a mediocre producer. Outside chance it’s a Spanish Priorat.
Nose of pine nuts and resin with a hint of pipe tobacco. Almost smells like an Anchor Christmas ale after it has aged 3 years. The entry was quite a bit more sweet than I expected. Tobacco and dates with a plum and spice. Finishes slightly stiff but not a bad thing here as I think I prefer these on this side of the hill before they get more raucous. 20+ years ahead.
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Emergency bottle as our first wine of the night, a White Chateauneuf, was not good.
PnP but needs air. More restrained than previous bottles of this vintage. Nose is deep cherry and tar. Palate has excellent texture and the dark cherry and menthol show through. Medium finish.
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Dark centre, medium brick robe, bright brick red rim. Very glowing in colour. Medium intensity, soft earthy with currant and blackcherry fruit notes, complex, nuanced, hints of mint, tobacco and cassis. Smells fantastic. Medium bodied, juicy, nice acidity, soft sweet fruit blackberry, some cherry and a note of blackcurrant, tobacco, leather on the finish. This is awesome, totally what youwould hope for in an aged bordeaux. Hope the rest of the bottle is as good tomorrow.
Probably faded a little overnight (contrast the 2001 Penfolds Bin 389). This was very soft, mature and nicely balanced. Completely delicious to drink, but would think I'll be drinking my last bottle soonish.
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30+ minute decant. Could probably use more. Dark red color. Menthol, Cherry, and Meat/BBQ on the nose. Wine is very fruit forward and lacks the earthiness I was looking forward to. Some oak I didn’t expect as well. Medium finish that is ever so harsh. I absolutely loved the 2000 vintage and thought this would be better, but it wasn’t even close. Solid Bordeaux but not what I was expecting.
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The oak has fully integrated into the wine. The texture is soft, and the fruits are ripe, round and sweet. Medium bodied, and tasting more developed than it should for its age, this is a wine to enjoy over the next 7-9 years.
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Poured thru a Vinturi, very nice dark fruit, damp leaves, pencil shavings on the nose, nice fruit on the palate, very velvety, with a medium-long finish.
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For many years Malescot was nondescript. I think with the modern style the wines achieved focus- on the black fruit side with a certain wonderful creaminess in the best vintages. For a wine that was supposed to be short lived (for many the initial assessment of the 2003 vintage), this wine is in great shape and drinking beautifully. Retains an acidic note. The Bordelais were allowed to acidify in 2003, and my sense, based on my many years way back of drinking acidified California wines, is that someimes added acid, unliike natural acid, doesn't fully integrate. May be the case here. This was bottle (bouteille) No. 41862. I think not quite up to bottle (bouteille) No. 31822 which we consumed a few years back. Sad really.
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Wine10 monthly meeting (Quattro restaurant): clear, deep purple clean, profound seducing mature dark fruits aromas with earthy-leather notes, sous-bois and tobacco leaves dry, high tannins, high acidity, full body, very good balance & harmony, well structured, solid complexity style, long finish
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Seems to be at a very good point for consumption with a nice balance of aged fruit and secondary flavors. Nice structure with excellent finish and balance. That said there was a slight dirty note of contamination on this bottle (not TCA -it didn't get worse with time, but never dissipated either and cork seemed fine ) which took away from the overall experience.
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Similar to my notes of six years ago, except the wine was better and more concentrated. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, cherry, leather, spice, oak, a tad of graphite. Rich, with a good depth of fruit. A good finish. A very good pairing with Thanksgiving turkey, with relatives.
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Slow O'd for an hour or so. Deep red color. Mild nose of cedar and allspice. Thin on the mid-palate; soft texture; well integrated tannins. Medium finish with some bitterness. Drink now.
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Good wine that improved with decanting. Ripe aromas of cassis and violets with plenty of wood and underbrush seasoning. Luscious, velvety mouthfeel until the mouth cleansing tannins. Rather youthful for a 2003. Plenty of room to unfold.
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Decanted and drank over 3 hours. Nose seems a bit subdued and not as explosive as memory holds, yet very elegant with cedar, graphite, black raspberries, and a hint of floral (rose petal perhaps?). Softened and well rounded now. Tannins refines with no hard edges, yet enough backbone to support and carry all into a satisfying finish. Still a pleasure. Last bottle of four. The previous three drank better, IMO, in 2008, 2010 & 2013. The bottle consumed in 2010 is still one of my all round favorite bottles in the last decade.
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Totally resolved and soft, showing obvious charred oak and plum. Not at all over extracted or hot, actually under sweet and simple. Fizzle finish with a little poof of pretty Margaux violets, and then fell off the wall. Nice wine, but should be drank soon. DRINK
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PNP with rotisserie chicken and the riper 2003 pedigree helped open it quickly. Pretty smooth and ripe if not complex. Drank the rest the following night and more along the rustic lines noted by others $38 well spent in my book
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Popped and poured, followed over a couple of hours with a meal. Good cork, typical Left Bank deep red. Perfumed in the Margaux manner. Sweet berries and cocoa, but the rusticity is noticeable: not sure if I'd call it a distraction so much as a feature, but it makes the drinking experience a bit less seamless than it otherwise could be. So 91-92, but delicious and pleasurable. In the back end of its drinking window, but no rush; drink or hold.
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Deep crimson colour with some bricking. The nose is classic Cabernet with blackcurrant, plum, cedar and violet. Some touches of fig are present. The palate is rich with plenty of mouth-filling Cabernet fruit and quite strong tannin on the finish. It lacks the distinction of a great year e.g. 2005 but is a lovely drink at present.
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Opened, poured a few oz in each stem, left open and let it sit for an hour. Wonderful nose, elegant, floral. Still young. This bottle has at least 5 years. Or, had..... Note to self: wait until 2021-23 to open the last 2.
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Consumed over 2 days (vacuvined), note from day 2. Nose: Medium plus expressiveness, black raspberry, burnt match, pine needles, and new shoe leather. Palate: Medium-full bodied, spicy dark red fruit attack, plenty of acid to balance the up front fruit, just a little thin thru the mid-palate though, rusty earthiness appears thru the back-end and dominates a mid-length finish. Lots of interesting things going on here, could use a little more mid-palate oomph to make it truly exceptional.
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What a difference a couple years can make. bottles two years ago were pleasant, if nondescript. This was VERY aged left bank Bordeaux....cedar and currant, the same with a healthy dose of minerality on the palate. It paired wonderfully with grilled leg of lamb. I wish I had more. Previous bottles were probably about 90 points, this one 93ish
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Fairly deep colour; quite pure blackcurrant fruit; mature with attractive savoury notes and good length. Lacks a little roundness and complexity, but is otherwise very good.
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Tasted blind. Medium-ripe plum with green pepper and good minerality. Smoked meat, game, and menthol. Round and fruity. Good weight. Medium tannins. Long finish. Rating: 90
Guess the wine: Probably Bordeaux. I will go with Left Bank. Solid wine but nothing too special.
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A deep colour and a garnet edge. This is now drinking very well, and I find myself marking this quite a bit higher than previously. It has fairly concentrated, smoky fruit with a savoury element, a soft, velvety feel and good length. It is harmonious and well balanced. For drinking now, while it is at its best.
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Pop n' pour and enjoyed over 2-3 hours with food. Medium-full nose has dark red fruit framing with notes of espresso, cedar and tobacco adding complexity. Palate is mid weight with round (though by no means roasted) fruit, velvety tannin and moderate acidity. There's some nice complexity and depth as the wine moves along it's aging curve. I like where this is now and suspect we're in a peak drinking window that should last 10+ years. Classy and finessed. A very nice low/mid end Bordeaux that has rewarded cellaring.
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Upon opening, there was a slight pervading green note. It blew off after awhile. The nose was quite subtle with hints of capsicum, cherries, cassis, spices and dried flowers. The palate was equally beguiling with slightly sweet red, blue and black berries, sous bois, dried flowers and capsicum. The sweet fruits made the difference in lifting the palate to feel brighter and fresh. The mouthfeel was slightly grainy but velvety, airy and light. Finish was medium and melded seamlessly to the mid palate. A wine of great balance in showing how the palate can have depth and slight intensity while being light and airy at the same time. A good showing for a ripe vintage. Can be enjoyed now but will still hold for a few more years.
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Aerated with a Vinturi and decanted for two hours. Pretty nose of cherry, currant, cocoa, anise, graphite, leather and herbs de Provence. Palate echoes the nose and leads to a long, soft, fruit driven finish. Full bodied. A very pretty wine. Paired well with pork roast and a cherry, red wine reduction sauce.
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EDJDELRAY had it right in 2013. And its still correct in 2015 "This is drinking well after an hour or two in the decanter. Dark fruit predominates on the nose and the palate and the finish is medium in length. This has good acid unlike some of the 2003's from Bordeaux. It should last for a decade." A good 2003 and there are many of them.
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It tasted like it came from margaux, its nose said it came from Margaux. Soft fruit, elegant and perfumed nose. Really nice wine to drink. Three to go. This has five years at least to go as opposed to the CT window that closes in about 2-3.
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A bright colour, quite deep; this has rich, slightly sweet, plummy, even pruney, fruit, good depth and reasonable acidity. Still quite fresh, but attractive now; should keep well.
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A deep colour; ripe and full blackcurrant fruit, with depth but lacking elegance and subtlety. A typical 2003 claret, in other words, and on this occasion it made a good outdoor wine.
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Deep ruby in color, reticent aromas of smoke, licorice, wet earth, tar, blackberry, coffee and tree bark lead to a sweet, ripe, round, medium bodied, plush, black raspberry and spice filled wine. This is drinking very nice today. I’d opt for finishing any remaining bottles over the next decade.
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Gift from a good friend. Brought to a restaurant to celebrate our anniversary. Let it breathe for about half an hour. Wine was excellent, smooth with very low tannin. Wish I had more.
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Dark garnet in color with light browning at the rim, reticent aromas of smoke, coffee bean, wood chip, wet earth and red fruits. Plush texture that appears round and creamy, lots of dark chocolate, cigar smoke and spice on the palate. The sense of alcohol seems a bit stronger than expected, acidity is at a fair level with resolved tannins. This is drinking quite nice at the moment, good but a bit simple.
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A very deep colour; quite a thick texture, with fruit cake flavours and some bitterness to the blackcurrant fruit, which is quite concentrated. Some tannin still. Notwithstanding my earlier comments on this wine, I think this could improve over the next few years, although it is quite acceptable now.
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Been over a year since the last bottle. It seems the wine has softened up a bit. Purpleish ruby in color, with bouquet of dark currants, floral, earth, and stone. Rich, balanced, concentrated, grippy mouth feel, with notes of blackcherry jam, cocoa bean and leather. Tannins are now softer and more delightful on the the palate. Finish is tasty but rather short.
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Deep dark red center, red rim with some signs of age. Toasty, umami, blackberries and ripe black plums, touch of pencil shavings, iron. Smooth, soy sauce, stewed plums and black cherries, toasted oak, pencil box, crayons, wax paper, some supporting tannins and acidity, a touch salty, some greenness towards the end, a little dill, okay length of mature red fruit. Drinking well now, has a touch of the New World about it but also reminds of a northern Italian Cabernet, doesn't show the heat of the vintage.
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Smooth, well-integrated tannins. Moderate complexity with some light herbs, leather, and oak. Medium to short finish. Drinking extremely well now with some limited potential for improvement.
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I normally don't repost, but for significant change. It's been over two years since my last. I'll stand by the aroma and flavor profile. Decanted three hours. That was fine. It's morphed to beautiful. The texture is a rustle of satin. Refined. No over ripe or roasted accents. This is even silkier than the 2000 Ferriere and with more length. Ahh...Margaux. 93-94. From my passive, yet Wisconsin cellar.
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Fairly deep colour. Attractive, rounded and reasonably full, with good blackcurrant fruit. It lacks a bit of structure and is probably best drunk while still fresh.
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I drink way more domestic claret than bordeaux. This was probably the most enjoyable bottles I have ever had. Didn't have to try and like it, just did. No decanter this time....feel this helped extend the drinking window. Crowd favorite of the night against some good domestic bottles. Weird for all of us. The nose on this wine is infectious.
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Drinking well...tannins are largely resolved....somewhat reticent nose...medium bodied dark fruits on the palate...little development of tertiary flavors...I'm not sure if blind I'd have recognized this as Bordeaux
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This has held together better than most 2003s. Some semblance of structure. Soft, fruit-forward style, as expected, but not raisined or jammy. Aromatics are muted. Pleasant but by no means memorable.
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Attractive, fresh, quite lively fruit: blackcurrant and cherry. Medium weight, with a slightly dry finish and perhaps a little short. Nevertheless, an enjoyable wine that is drinking well now.
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Ripe plum/prune fruit, quite concentrated, with a vanilla overtone. Soft, smooth and with good length. Perhaps not the best balance, but it is good now and is not for long cellaring.
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Drank 1/21/14 with stuffed quail; wine was properly stored from purchase upon release until opened; Big initial bouquet of perfume and the French countryside; deep rich color; good legs; shouts "Bordeaux". After 5 minutes: CASSIS! dark berries and red berries; After 10 minutes: Berries overtake the cassis, big black fruit, along with mission and kadota figs; After 15 minutes: still strong bouquet of berries and figs; After 20 minutes: more berries emerge, blueberries, blackberries, boysenberries, still has cassis. After 35 minutes: peaches, plums, pluots, honeysuckle, walnuts; After 60 minutes, back to perfume, still lovely. Mouthwatering wine. In perfect balance, tannin is resolved but still keeps the wine going. In the end, a hint of coffee and chocolate.
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For some reason this is making a better impression than the bottle from the same case (purchased EP and perfectly stored) several days ago. Nice, complex nose. The palate seems much better, less thick, more Bordeaux like, better mouthfeel, still a bit sweet in the finish. Still not a style that makes me wish I had bought more, but I'll enjoy what I own now.
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Popped and poured. This is an enjoyable wine, but it is clearly a modern- style wine that can hardly be recognized as Bordeaux let alone Margaux. It is rich, thick and sweet. A crowd pleaser, as long as there are no traditionalists in the crowd! I'll drink my bottles over the next couple of years, don't see this making old bones.
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Nice dark red color. On the nose, leather and oak. On the palate good balance. The tannins are nice, it is reaching or at peak. The wine is lighter than I anticipated, but very nice.
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This is drinking well after an hour or two in the decanter. Dark fruit predominates on the nose and the palate and the finish is medium in length. This has good acid unlike some of the 2003's from Bordeaux. It should last for a decade.
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Wow. Soft, floral, elegant. This is what I expect from something from Margaux. Fruity, well balanced. This is a really good wine. This is what I expected when I bought it. It has the qualities of the Giscours.
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Floral and perfumed on the nose with some oak and obvious fruit. Very concentrated dark fruits and a bit jammy, but in good balance with solid tannins still present and good acidity. Overall, a solid wine and a bit unusual for bordeaux (from my experience at least). Would buy again.
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Another solid showing from this delicious 2003 Malescot, third time tasting in as many months, consistent showing and quality. Dark core with clear rim, aromas of dark currants, violet, perfume, flint stone, earth, and hint of smokey pepper, very appealing. On the palate, plush, concentrated, grippy mouth feel, with notes of cherry and coffee bean. Nice structure with good balancing amounts of chewy tannins and acidic freshness. Decent finish with tobacco smoke and cherry.
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Following the discussion with Papies and the not very convincing 03 St. Pierre, I decided to open another of my 03 Bdx. A smell of alcohol and port makes me very worried upon pulling the cork but after about 30-45 minutes in the decanter this settles down nicely. Dark garnet almost to the rim, then dark fruit, earth, coffee, some herbs and a bit of oak. On the palate this is very lush and fat but comes across as a bit bland. A bit like a dish cooked with plenty of butter - can be yummy but a bit simple. The wine looks in the glass and tastes on the palate like 14-14.5 alcohol but the label only states 13.5, not sure about that. Very fine tannins. Medium finish with coffee. This is a good wine and works for me as such but by no means your typical Margaux. 90-91 PS: The rest of the bottle was showing better than a 2000 Smith Haut Lafitte on day 2.
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A bit closed, it opened slowly in the glass. All in balance, good fruit, oak well integrated both in nose and mouth. Good considering what a mess 2003 is on average, but not really exciting. I will let my other bottle for a few more years.
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Birthday dinner gathering with 2003 wines (Hong Kong): Another soild showing, bouquet of flowers, stone, earth and truffle, though not as sharp as hoped for. Balanced mouth feel, with currants, cherry and smoke, chewy tannins and medium length jammy, smokey finish.
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One of the best values in the entire Margaux appellation, this is turning out nicely with a fragrant nose of flowers, cocoa, black cherry, coffee bean and earth. Soft, supple and plush in texture, the wine ends with a smooth, round, ripe, dark berry finish. Drink now for pleasure, or age it a few more years for additional complexity. Either way, the wine delivers a lot of pleasure and at a fair price too!
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A mini Palmer vertical: This beautiful ruby red claret is delicious. It has a fantastic nose with Margaux characters, floral, earth, truffle, currants and perfume, it makes you wanting to smell it continuously and get soaked up in it. Malescot is probably considered more masculine from Margaux, so tannins are firm but they are juicy and balancing well with the medium acidity in the wine itself. Very nice structure, dense, close to full bodied mouth feel, with taste of licorice, ripe berry, smoke and tea leaf. Finish is medium, with taste of tobacco and jam. The wine should benefit with more cellar time to develop more complexity.
This wine was drunk up after three delicious Palmers, but it shined its own light with a delightful tasting. It's market price is fair, recommended.
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La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Vancouver - 2003 Left Bank Dinner (Bistro Pastis): This was very forward with a creamy and ripe nose of black and blue fruits, spice and hint of floral. Big, soft and supple mouthfeel with sweet dark fruit flavours, oak and a touch of spice. There’s decent acidity here which adds some lift to the round and warm profile along with ripe but drying tannins. Some heat on the finish as well. A decent drink but this doesn’t show a lot of Margaux typicity and, for my tastes, borders on being too ripe. Drink or hold. Good.
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Commanderie de Bordeaux: 2003 Left Bank Dinner (Pastis - Vancouver, BC): Quite expressive on the nose offering a lot of rich blackberry jam and black pepper spice upfront, along with some violet floral aromas, fresh mint, herbs, and a touch of blueberry. Plenty of ripe black cherry comes through on the palate, as well as more black pepper and sweet blackberry, oak, asphalt, and a bit of green pepper. Lots of underlying acidity and gripping tannins. A long length finish ending on notes of rich black cherry and black pepper. There's a bit of heat on the palate but it's not overly distracting. This was on the edge of being too ripe for me, but some time should help this soften and balance out a bit more. Very good -
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Popped, decanted, and drank over 4 hours. Short version: Light and ethereal with superfine tannins and great balance and a long satisfying finish.
Conversation piece: Upon opening was closed and probably a bit too cool. Some eucalyptus and menthol, but that could just be the alcohol coming through with little else in complement. Hour 1: Warmer on the nose and in the glass showing a toasty spiciness. Still a bit tight but opening. More herbal and vegetal at this stage. Smooth gritty tannins. All in balance. Hour 2: Darker warmer fruit coming through. This has rewarding flavors yet remains elegant on the palate. Just when it seems it will be chewy it melts off the tongue. A dustiness on a finish that evolves as it lingers. Plenty of acidity here. Should roll along nicely over the next 5-8+. Hour 3: Paired with short ribs braised with cabernet and a roux. Just melts away in the mouth. An ethereal red. Some could describe this attribute as thin, but I see it as being light but fulfilling (in part due to the satisfying finish). Impressed by it having a weighlessness yet yielding plenty of fruit. Charcoal and cedar showing. All in harmony. Works really well with roasted brussels sprouts- great play between the char of the sprouts and the minerality/earthiness (graphite) of the wine. Finish continues to impress. I was really looking forward to opening this as I have enjoyed the last two very much. This one did not disappoint. Excellent Chateau. Superb wine. I will likely seek out more and may even open the purse strings to acquire some 09's/10's.
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Was quite tight upon opening, relaxed after about an hour in the glass. Supple tannins, chocolate, blackberry, well integrated fruit. Next time I think a 2 to 4 hour decant will do it some good. Ready to drink, but will hold for a number of years. Well worth the original $39 price tag.
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Nice dark red color. On the nose, light oak and some pepper or sour. On the palate good acidity and some fruit, perhaps red grape. The tannins are nice. The wine is lighter than I anticipated, but very nice.
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Slow O'd for two hours. Medium ruby, lighter red at the edges, no bricking apparent. Perfumed Margaux nose, stronger with vigorous swirling. On the palate, red ripe cherries, blackberries, sweet tobacco. Soft and delicious. Very well integrated tannins, and delicious now, though will probably improve with more bottle age.
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Drank over 2hrs. Did not decant. A really pleasant surprise. Vibrant nose of black berries, coffee, and some wood. More dark fruit, coffee and beefy notes on the palate which was silky and full in the mouth. This did seem a little more evolved than I would have expected, but I supposed that is the vintage. A medium, smooth finish. Clearly will hold, but good right now.
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Nose of black berry, grilled bread, tar, very ripe. Palate is heavy, rustic tannins, full trottle fruit, sweet, finish is on overriped black fruit. Better served slightly chilled
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Decanted four hours. Concentrated appearance and palate. Deep color of dark cherry wood. Exuberant, fascinating aromas of menthol and unsmoked, moist cherry pipe tobacco and flowers. Ripe palate characteristic of the vintage - not classic - full and nodding to California cab, but really, really excellent. Palate saturating layers of sweet black cherry, a whisper of fresh tree-picked tart choke cherry, bonfire ash and clove. Well made. Harmonious balance of fruit, polished tannins and acid. Medium plus finish. This is drinkable now and will be a treat for years.
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--- COLOR: Deep garnet with ruby-garnet rim NOTE: Nice sweet blackberry liqueur in the nose, complemented by some cherry pipe tobacco and kirsch. Mouth is medium-heavy with nice, ripe tannins that are full of sweet blackberry/strawberry/mulberry fruit. The finish is medium weight but remains fruity for a good 15 seconds, then fades to the cherry pipe tobacco element. Never drying or astringent, just pleasant. Hint of espresso. One of the better Bor-doughs I've ever had, and I could enjoy the whole bottle. Seems ready to go but could improve with some time in the bottle I suppose. Finishes way ahead in 1st place out of 3 Bor-dough today. Still not a great QPR.
DECANT: 1 hr GLASS USED: Bordeaux TASTE: 9.0+ OTHER: COST: 46 VALUE: 6.5 PREVIOUSLY TASTED: n/a TRY AGAIN: now - 2020 PAIRING: n/a Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net ---
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Decanted for 1 hour. Atypical but delicious. Waves of menthol/eucalyptus/camphor emerge through the dark fruits. Alcohol is prominent on the finish, and while I would normally find this to be problematic, it just works with this Malescot. Medium bodied and elegant. Continued to improve with airtime. 91-92
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Light red at the rim. A medium ruby color; has some reddish characteristics as if bricking may be in its initial stage. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, some cherry, leather, spice, oak, a tad of graphite. Medium concentration and depth of fruit. A decent finish. Pairs nicely with prime rib-eye. I recall consuming this wine in 2006 - it was extremely approachable and fat then. Seems just a little leaner now, but still quite nice. In June 2010, I rated this wine 93.
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This is really good. a serious amount of blackberry, cassis, forest floor and a nice acid/tannin balance. Decanted for 3 hours and am almost 1/2 way through the bottle.
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Very easy to drink. nothing "sticks out and grabs your attention", but there is a rich presence of balanced flavors and structure that make it most excellent with food. Mid palate is fresh, like water, some anise, tar, sandalwood followed by a subtle finish with mild astringency.
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Decanted for three hours and drunk with luscious ribs--a beautiful pairing. Spiciness prominent in a nice balance with the typical left-bank black-fruits and oak, soft in a manner that wines of the Margaux appellation often deliver.
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Another very good showing of this wine. Further evidence that the '03 Bordeaux wines are drinking very well right now and probably won't be getting any better. That's OK because where they are is really quite good.
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Decanted for 3 hours. A beautiful ruby red color. Nose and flavors of blackberry, blueberry, spice, leather, and oak. On the light side of medium bodied. Dark fruit with smooth tannins on the mid-palate, with a long, soft finish. Nice balance and complexity. Paired beautifully with filet béarnaise. A very enjoyable bottle.
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This wine took a surprising long time to open up. No explosive fruit or heat that some have mentioned. After more than an hour of air, I would have guessed this was a Grauad Larose based on its nose--musty leather. I didn't taste Margaux in this bottle. I would suggest giving these at least an hour of air at a minimum. This got better with air time but I have to admit I am somewhat disappointed. I would suggest that it is on par, but only slightly better than an '01 GL but almost double the price. Honestly, I might have scored this a point or so higher if I didn't know what it was.
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Definitely more new world than classic Bordeaux but this was a big hit with the crowd. Paired with beef tenderloin. Wife says she gives it two thumbs up.
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Stood bottle for few days in the cellar. Opened about 6 hours before dinner and decanted an hour before. Nose very closed, blackcurrants evident tho. Surprisingly non-Margaux on the palate, even burnt favor (obviously hot summer), tannins smooth, alcohol just in balance. Overall disappointed, hope rest of the bottles will show better!
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Was disappointed - not at all Margaux. Will develop further complexity over time but this should better be evaluated alongside new world wines (hence my lower score - didn't register the blueberry and floral notes expected). Modern expression with sweet rasberry and charcol flavours; can drink now with 2hr+ decant but would recommend waiting further 5 years. Went long on the 2009 - hope it's more terrior driven.
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An intoxicating, room-filling nose with plenty of camphor- just fantastic. Is this what Margaux is all about? A fine example I believe (even if new-worldy in it's style). An excellent pairing with lamb chops and venison (yet another good reason to go out to dinner with your spouse- plate sharing!). If you have one bottle, consider drinking now. If you have more than one- what are you waiting for?
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Decanted for 3 hours (but sneak peak right after decanting is enticing...). Minimal fine sediment in the bottle. Surprising aged coloring, brick red body with browning rim. It's show time! This is delivering the goods right now. This starts with aromas of sweet cherries and sweet tannins. A touch of camphor keeps it complex. Flavors of ripe, full berries and fruits with a dusting of earth. This all wraps up with a medium length, minimally tannic finish. Did the label say Napa?!! This really comes off as new world versus old so I can imagine plently of doubters and haters on this vintage. But... though different, this is a wonderful wine.
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Upon opening, delicate, medium body and super terroir-driven. Great delivery to the palate that just expands in the finish, with tannins that don't overpower--they hold it all together. It has some youthful character in the fruit. A wonderfully crafted wine that should continue to age nicely for 10 more years. Next bottle in 2014.
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Coffee on the nose after 1 hour decant time. Great acidity and tannin structure...has many years left. Fruit-plummy, mocha and some earth on the palate.
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Nice lighter purple. Nose of raspberry and currant, with a bit of smoke to it. Fruit-forward and still fairly primary at this point, with red currant, plum, moca, and earthy flavors culminating in a moderate finish. Tannins structured, acidity moderate to low, fruit very ripe. Has the goods I think but needs lots more time.
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Wow....one of the mid-weight stars of the 2003 vintage in Bordeaux. It is amazing how smooth and integrated the tannins have become. Decanted for an hour. Dark in color; full to the rim. Coffee and currant aromas. Medium to full body. Expansive mid-palate and smooth tannins. Nice 20 second finish. Next one in 2 years....
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Not easy to sort out intitially. Seemed a bit thin, but an hour of air and it fleshed out nicely. Unexpected in the sense that it is nicely extracted and concentrated without remotely being dense or heavy. Coffee and a bit cassisy. Really tasty flavor in this wine - much to my liking.
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While this will age for some years, at least at this time it seems to be one of the more accessible drinkers of the vintage and is open for business. Sitting with a dark garnet color there are aromas of cassis, herbs and a little spice that all transition into the palate with a luscious mouthfeel and finished with chewy tannin. The only issue I have here is that it’s a little thin with a short finish, but this is a charming wine that I think would be great for the dinner table.
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Opened and tasted - my initial impression was that its a thin herbaceous wine. By the end of the evening after 6+ hours in the decanter, it had developed a delicious bouqet, almost reminded me of a Red Burgundy. Well balanced with complexity. When tried side by side the 2005 Orin Swift Papillion, it was less fruity, but had more secondary flavors.
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When a wine that is not my style makes an impression on me, I figure it's firing on all cylinders. Decidely modern but damn, this is tasty. Plush, expansive, rich and loaded - this packs a lot of punch - but in the end, this can only come from Bordeaux. Dark fruits, which go with the vintage, but never over ripe, this reminds me of Lascombe and a nice contrast to D'Issan. Hard to resist.
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Saturday Club (Home): Very 2003... a bit of brett blows off, then there's that typical praline aroma you get in so many of the '03s. A bit superficial in that much of the palate impact is front-loaded. The wine's affect is all in the beginning and middle -- the finish is hollow. That said, there's a lot to like here. It needs a little grip and depth -- and, it will be interesting to see if/how this wine ages.
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Really surprisingly ready to drink from the get go. Cassis and some wood on the nose, a silky cassis and maybe blueberry elegance on the palate. Shows real richness andVery very nice length. All in excellent balance without heat. A really quaffy mouthful. Four hours in maybe a little more weight. Fits the 03 Bordeaux profile to a T. Put the 03 Talbot very much in the shade.
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Deep ruby red color, pretty young so need much open time. after 3 hours the wine showed red plum, little creamy nose, leather. Very forward style of wine. But not too modern. Smooth tannin, great aftertaste.
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Second bottle not nearly as good. Sort of flat and dull - possibly exposed to heat. Tasted by many other people at the same time and there was a general lack of enthusiasm (which concurs with other notes on this wine on cellar tracker).
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Yummy. This is quite a wine. At this point in its life it's not for the purist looking for traditional/old school bordeaux but people will always find a reason to complain. There is a ton of baby fat still on this 2003 so it drinks great right out of the gate but after about an hour of air it started to show its true colors (which was more terroir). Intense color, plush on the palate, complex, and great length. A great example of a well made modern bordeaux. I wish I had more, this should be stellar in five years.
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Decanted 1 hour, drank over the next 4. Kept waiting for the wine to open up, never really did. Touch of oak and toast on the nose, tongue coating mid palate. heavy tannins but enough dark fruit to prevent it from crossing the border into austere. Revisit in a few years, for now 88-90
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Initially, very flowery nose along with a heavy blueberry aspect. On the palate, blood and steel with a rather flat feel. Not very concentrated. After an hour or so it opens up to tart berry flavors, along with road tar and smoke. Good acidity. Decent bottle but much better wine from the 2003 vintage.
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Closed. Color was deep, dark purple; nose was bright fruit, alcohol, oak; palate was a bit weak with velvety tannins. Too young. Save the rest of the 03s until at least 2010.
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Drank with a steak after a shitty long week of work....
Decanted for around 2 hours. This is many years from prime time. Deep opaque colour, more plum and dark garnet with a garnet tinge on the rim. Nose is really dark and intense, powerful but not giving up loads of aromatics, inky, blackcurrant and prune with tobacco, wood and maybe a little herb. Palate continues the theme, good acidity, framed by lots of fine tannins, dark concentrated currant and dark plummy fruit. Good long finish. Need some complexity to merit a higher score, but all the pieces seem in place for this to age really well.
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This takes a long while to compose itself and shed its rusticity. For an hour or more it is a sloppy, messy wine with rough tannic edges and lots of coloring outside the lines. Dark black fruit suggests rich underlying raw material, but the fruit is muted by tannin and generally lacks freshness. Never very expressive aromatically but with enough time the wine comes into better balance with more forward fruit and prominent cedarwood flavors. As a tasting experience this is a fun wine, as wild as a bull!, but a claret at this price point should show more manners and refinement.
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Chablis and 03 Bordeaux Dinner (HB: A Hearty Boys Spot): Aromas of coffee, cocoa, toast and dark fruits. A chewy, full-bodied palate that offers plenty of ripe fruit and leather. Tannic and low acidity - this wine had a unique character and should develop quite nicely.
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Opened 20:15. Fairly meaty nose, with a hint of smoke and a small lactic element. The nose remains rather closed. The palate is more balanced and much less tannic then the Gruaud Laroze tasted just before. However, the tannins are still noticeable and the fruit is clearly pushed to the background by it. Spicy aftertaste. Put away for 24 hrs. Next day (evening): The nose remains closed. Some spices, a hint of alcohol, some meat. The palate is more approachable but still dominated by its tannins. However, the red and black fruits are now shining through. Spicy aftertaste. I'll put the remainder of the bottle away for another day. Third day (evening): Ahh, this is much better now. The nose remains subdued, but I get some black fruit and its syrup, black coffee and spices. The palate is more balanced, while still fairly tannic. But the delicious black fruit has come to the forefront. In addidtion I get coffee, spices, a lactic element. Still no trace of oxidation. One for the long haul, surely.
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A spectacular nose, alternating among vivid aromas of cassis, spice and flowers. The palate is seriously tannic, but full-bodied and flavorful. A success for the vintage.
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2/17/2024 - Bordeaux_Jon Likes this wine: 93 Points
A very successful and tasty 2003 that may outlive some of the first growths. Shows a good combination of red fruit and secondary characters like underbrush, leather, and cigar, this wine benefited from an hour of air. It has plenty of intensity and a long finish, and was a party crowd pleaser! Drink now or hold for 5+ years.
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11/30/2023 - alamoave Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good not great. Seems more acidic than other Margaux wines from the same vintage. No hurry.
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9/22/2023 - IvanLi Likes this wine: 95 Points
The wine is still singing and there is no decline in the eye sight, yet I see no reason to store it any further.
This is one gorgeous ripe yet restrained Bdx fully developed yet demonstrating a perfect balance between tertiary notes of leather and cigar box on one hand and perfectly ripe (but not overripe) black and red fruits on the other. Ink, road dust, wet slate and pencil lead provide an extra support just in case you are not convinced.
Initially I gave it a 94, but in the end added an extra point for the length of finish and the classyness of the flavour profile.
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9/17/2023 - MikeCW wrote: 88 Points
I don't mind riper Bordeaux but this was too far for me. Very dark in the glass, would have guessed very recent vintage. Just too ripe for my tastes. Reminds me of how I fee about Ridge Pagani, just too much. $33.99 from Premier Cru so I can't complain too much.
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8/27/2023 - Nick72wine wrote: 92 Points
Had with Yak Tomahawks and wild mushrooms, very nice bottle of Malescot, red fruits, cedar, a hint of pipe tobacco and toast.
Cassis ,with a hint of red fruit underneath , tannins are polished and nearly all gone, bit uni dimensional but not flat, still lots of fruit and sitting nicely on its plateau.
Yes its from a hot year but that does not show through in this wine.
Don't see this getting much better but will keep another 5/10 years for sure.
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5/16/2023 - steko78 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Robe franchement rubis, lumineuse. Le premier nez est séducteur, plus fruit rouges que noirs, grenadine, l'élevage arrive plus tard, mais bien intégré, plutôt léger moka que vanille, petite note végétale noble qui donne du reps.
Très délié, frais, fruit acidulé, avec un profil longiligne et délicat, petit retour d'élevage en finale. Personne ne part à l'aveugle sur 2003. Au réchauffement, il prend un peu de volume, et de richesse, sans jamais partir sur l'alcool ou le sucre. Bref une superbe réussite (encore) sur 2003. 93-94. Peut-être un petit manque de complexité, mais donne beaucoup de plaisir et est prêt à boire.
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4/23/2023 - Mr T wrote:
pleasant enough drink but not a great bottle with some rough edges. blame the vintage I guess
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3/10/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine: 91 Points
This was guzzled at a nice restaurant with red meat. I think you can tell it's from a hot vintage, but the cabernet still gave it some structure and there was some nuance. A very nice $39.00 bottle stored since release. I will drink my other bottle soon. Excellent.
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10/28/2022 - Nanda wrote:
Polished with a modern, toasty flare.
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8/17/2022 - BernieMSY Likes this wine: 95 Points
Delicious.
Dark ruby color with a touch of bricking. This one is an umami bomb. Plenty of roast meat, leather, cedar pencil, and all things delicious and savory. I’ve been working my way through a case of this stuff, and this one has been worth the wait. If you’ve got a bottle of this, I suggest pulling the cork. It is absolutely delicious and it is unlikely to get much better
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5/19/2022 - wineappreciation wrote: 93 Points
Blackberry, strawberry, cigar box, gravel, graphite, leather, very classic nose; beautiful, balanced, poised, developed, graceful, long finish; excellent and in an excellent drinking window
After 1 Hour: More integrated, more powerful, more robust; though not especially dynamic, it is beautiful with a certain simplicity
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4/16/2022 - Mr T wrote:
This is a very pleasant, ripe bottle of wine in reasonable balance with good, dark fruit. Not the most elegant but would gladly drink this wine. Not falling apart anytime soon
92-93
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4/12/2022 - Doc Blinet Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted 1 hour before consuming with grilled porterhouse. Elegant cherry and pencil shavings.
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12/18/2021 - IvanLi Likes this wine: 93 Points
I am surprised at how consistently good a solid Bordeaux is. It is good to the point of being boring with all its cassis, graphite and cigar box. Black fruits are complicated by notes of red raspberries in this wine.
IMHO this bottling Is at its peak, drink now and for the next 5 years.
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11/16/2021 - jyensan Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good with nice texture and body. Dark fruits and cassis, but missing some of the earthiness and spice that I so enjoy from Bordeaux. Plenty of life left and I would purchase again for the right price.
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7/31/2021 - BernieMSY Likes this wine: 94 Points
45 minutes of air.
Nice ruby color, with a touch of bricking at the edges. Plenty of black fruit up front. Tannins are nearly all gone, and there is some juicy acidity on the mid-palate that keeps things lively.
A couple of hours later, this is drinking really well. I agree with others who have suggested that there is no reason to wait. Drink ‘em if you got ‘em!
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6/4/2021 - gcarl wrote: 92 Points
Decanted at restaurant, nice color, my thoughts mirror those of Vancouver on 3/28/21. My cellar has had little restocking since I have not ventured out for 13+ months to buy wine.
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3/28/2021 - Vancouver wrote: 93 Points
This was another casualty as we enter month 13 of the lockdown and the relentless assault on my cellar continues....
Medium ruby appearance with little or no sign of lightening.
Pronounced and evolved nose of black fruits, cassis, vanilla, spice and some floral elements (maybe violets). The nose is just gorgeous and shows no sign of fatigue.
Medium plus body with plenty of acidity and tannic structure. the mouthfeel is wonderful and some further savory elements are revealed on the palate. The finish is definitely long.
Just a great example that totally refutes the reputation of this being a "cooked" vintage. This bottle was purchased on release and has been stored properly ever since. Bottles stored properly will probably last another decade at least.... but no real reason to wait.
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2/10/2021 - bnqwallace Likes this wine: 92 Points
This bottle was better 3-5 years ago. Still good but dried out a bit at the moment. Might well come back into its own again. Still good but not punching above its weight as it was. Still loads of fruit and tannin so I am hopeful.
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1/13/2021 - Hendmo Likes this wine: 93 Points
Absolutely delicious and in a great drinking window. A rich garnet colour indicates its age, but this still has plenty of life and energy too. Lovely complex nose of rich cassis and plums, and secondary notes of floral, graphite and tobacco. In the mouth, it was really well balanced, with rich dark fruits, a lovely silky feel, and plenty of energy across the palate. Finish was medium/long with sweet tannins, and even a hint of caramel towards the end. Loved this.
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8/8/2020 - jonboy74 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Ara summed it up perfectly. Love this wine.
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7/20/2020 - Ara Kafafian Likes this wine: 94 Points
Slight brick rim, notes of animal fur, plums, cassis, leather, tobacco, perfectly balanced and very lengthy, everything is singing in harmony. Very rich and tannic, still youthful, at least a decade ahead of it yet drinking perfectly now. A gorgeous Margaux.
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5/30/2020 - affordableCollector wrote: 91 Points
dark red, brick tones, in color. cherry, cassis, blackberry, fennel, tobacco, pencil shavings, dried herbs, spice, mint. has life.
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5/28/2020 - Renevin Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nez superbe de fruits noirs, tabac,cuir. En bouche tout est bien fondu, c est rond, bien balancé et équilibré. Belle longue finale. Probablement à son mieux.
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5/15/2020 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully and still going strong. Ripe fruit, cassis, cherries, black berries. Fantastic acid and integrated tannins. And an endorsement from my 17 year old daughter ‘my birth year smells amazing’
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4/5/2020 - megropolis wrote: 92 Points
Smooth & delicious.
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3/8/2020 - grafstrb wrote: 89 Points
-- decanted approx. 30 min. before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind over 2 – 3 hours --
NOSE: ripe, dark red/purple fruits; smoky; oaky; sour oak (tertiary); hint of wet cement.
BODY: fairly youthful color --- violet color of great depth with a hint of bricking throughout; medium-full bodied.
TASTE: flavors mirror the aromas: very ripe fruits; oaky; surprisingly good acidity (for an '03); big; alc. is noticeable; Drink Now and over the next 10 years. Ashley's gut impression score: 89, which is same as my long-form score, below.
50, 5, 11, 16, 7 = 89
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11/30/2019 - davergny wrote: 89 Points
This is very ripe but maintains a sense of elegance. Black raspberries, hints of caramel and baking spice. A little too sweet and lacking acidity for balance. Prior bottles have been better.
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11/23/2019 - hoservin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for 1.5 hours. Nose of blackberry, black cherry, currant, tobacco leaf, dried herbs, cocoa powder and licorice. Ripe black and red fruit, tobacco leaf, licorice, coffee and forest floor. Very long, fruit forward finish. Medium to full bodied. Served with grilled Greek tenderloin steaks.
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11/10/2019 - BernieMSY wrote: 93 Points
3 hour decant.
Grape candy nose, medium purple color. Tons of bright fruit balanced by mouthwatering acidity. Cassis, raspberry, blackberry, white pepper. Moderating tannins, lingering finish.
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10/26/2019 - thebonnydooner Likes this wine: 93 Points
As promised drank soonish (6 months) and was just as good. Very similar note. Nicely complex, delicious wine.
Well balanced, good and tasty - nicely sweet with black cherry and dark currant fruit, rounded tannins and a lovely sweet smooth finish. Enough BDX complexity and interest as well.
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9/21/2019 - DAguayo Likes this wine: 92 Points
On its peak without doubt! Still some strong years ahead!! Super balanced, wonderful nose and excellent finish! Looking for more bottles of this
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9/6/2019 - PMJak11 wrote: flawed
This is the bottle I opened but not the wine I’ve had! Totally faked or doctored.
I’ve had enough of this wine and comparable Bordeaux’s to know this was not right.
Probably an over the hill (2000-2004) Australian or California Cabernet that is over oak’d, fruit forward, from a mediocre producer. Outside chance it’s a Spanish Priorat.
Wine actually wasn’t bad, but not as advertised!!
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8/3/2019 - wehouck Likes this wine: 95 Points
Perfect time to drink!
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8/2/2019 - WStucker wrote: 93 Points
Young side of prime drinking window, 10 more years atleast!!
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7/9/2019 - paulst Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tight and restrained; light; some blackberry.
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7/5/2019 - mflesh wrote: 93 Points
Nose of pine nuts and resin with a hint of pipe tobacco. Almost smells like an Anchor Christmas ale after it has aged 3 years. The entry was quite a bit more sweet than I expected. Tobacco and dates with a plum and spice. Finishes slightly stiff but not a bad thing here as I think I prefer these on this side of the hill before they get more raucous. 20+ years ahead.
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5/27/2019 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Emergency bottle as our first wine of the night, a White Chateauneuf, was not good.
PnP but needs air. More restrained than previous bottles of this vintage. Nose is deep cherry and tar. Palate has excellent texture and the dark cherry and menthol show through. Medium finish.
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5/25/2019 - thebonnydooner wrote: 93 Points
Dark centre, medium brick robe, bright brick red rim. Very glowing in colour. Medium intensity, soft earthy with currant and blackcherry fruit notes, complex, nuanced, hints of mint, tobacco and cassis. Smells fantastic. Medium bodied, juicy, nice acidity, soft sweet fruit blackberry, some cherry and a note of blackcurrant, tobacco, leather on the finish. This is awesome, totally what youwould hope for in an aged bordeaux. Hope the rest of the bottle is as good tomorrow.
Probably faded a little overnight (contrast the 2001 Penfolds Bin 389). This was very soft, mature and nicely balanced. Completely delicious to drink, but would think I'll be drinking my last bottle soonish.
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5/11/2019 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 93 Points
30+ minute decant. Could probably use more. Dark red color. Menthol, Cherry, and Meat/BBQ on the nose. Wine is very fruit forward and lacks the earthiness I was looking forward to. Some oak I didn’t expect as well. Medium finish that is ever so harsh. I absolutely loved the 2000 vintage and thought this would be better, but it wasn’t even close. Solid Bordeaux but not what I was expecting.
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5/2/2019 - Claret & CdP Gang Likes this wine:
Still young, rich, full bodied, tannic, in need of more cellar time
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3/19/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 91 Points
The oak has fully integrated into the wine. The texture is soft, and the fruits are ripe, round and sweet. Medium bodied, and tasting more developed than it should for its age, this is a wine to enjoy over the next 7-9 years.
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2/22/2019 - gcarl wrote: 92 Points
Poured thru a Vinturi, very nice dark fruit, damp leaves, pencil shavings on the nose, nice fruit on the palate, very velvety, with a medium-long finish.
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1/28/2019 - theusualsuspect wrote: 90 Points
For many years Malescot was nondescript. I think with the modern style the wines achieved focus- on the black fruit side with a certain wonderful creaminess in the best vintages. For a wine that was supposed to be short lived (for many the initial assessment of the 2003 vintage), this wine is in great shape and drinking beautifully. Retains an acidic note. The Bordelais were allowed to acidify in 2003, and my sense, based on my many years way back of drinking acidified California wines, is that someimes added acid, unliike natural acid, doesn't fully integrate. May be the case here.
This was bottle (bouteille) No. 41862. I think not quite up to bottle (bouteille) No. 31822 which we consumed a few years back. Sad really.
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7/31/2018 - Yagil wrote: 91 Points
Wine10 monthly meeting (Quattro restaurant): clear, deep purple
clean, profound seducing mature dark fruits aromas with earthy-leather notes, sous-bois and tobacco leaves
dry, high tannins, high acidity, full body, very good balance & harmony, well structured, solid complexity style, long finish
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4/7/2018 - bon vivant wrote:
Seems to be at a very good point for consumption with a nice balance of aged fruit and secondary flavors. Nice structure with excellent finish and balance. That said there was a slight dirty note of contamination on this bottle (not TCA -it didn't get worse with time, but never dissipated either and cork seemed fine ) which took away from the overall experience.
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12/16/2017 - BernieMSY wrote: 93 Points
Nicely integrated. Deep currant, tar, tobacco. Drinking beautifully.
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11/23/2017 - Chainthroer wrote: 92 Points
Similar to my notes of six years ago, except the wine was better and more concentrated. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, cherry, leather, spice, oak, a tad of graphite. Rich, with a good depth of fruit. A good finish. A very good pairing with Thanksgiving turkey, with relatives.
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11/7/2017 - prism wrote: 90 Points
Slow O'd for an hour or so. Deep red color. Mild nose of cedar and allspice. Thin on the mid-palate; soft texture; well integrated tannins. Medium finish with some bitterness. Drink now.
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9/7/2017 - rmalloy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good wine that improved with decanting. Ripe aromas of cassis and violets with plenty of wood and underbrush seasoning. Luscious, velvety mouthfeel until the mouth cleansing tannins. Rather youthful for a 2003. Plenty of room to unfold.
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9/1/2017 - Primordialsoup Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted and drank over 3 hours. Nose seems a bit subdued and not as explosive as memory holds, yet very elegant with cedar, graphite, black raspberries, and a hint of floral (rose petal perhaps?). Softened and well rounded now. Tannins refines with no hard edges, yet enough backbone to support and carry all into a satisfying finish. Still a pleasure. Last bottle of four. The previous three drank better, IMO, in 2008, 2010 & 2013. The bottle consumed in 2010 is still one of my all round favorite bottles in the last decade.
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8/27/2017 - Purple Tooth wrote: 90 Points
Totally resolved and soft, showing obvious charred oak and plum. Not at all over extracted or hot, actually under sweet and simple. Fizzle finish with a little poof of pretty Margaux violets, and then fell off the wall. Nice wine, but should be drank soon. DRINK
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4/29/2017 - Mr T wrote:
PNP with rotisserie chicken and the riper 2003 pedigree helped open it quickly. Pretty smooth and ripe if not complex. Drank the rest the following night and more along the rustic lines noted by others
$38 well spent in my book
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4/4/2017 - prism wrote: 92 Points
Popped and poured, followed over a couple of hours with a meal. Good cork, typical Left Bank deep red. Perfumed in the Margaux manner. Sweet berries and cocoa, but the rusticity is noticeable: not sure if I'd call it a distraction so much as a feature, but it makes the drinking experience a bit less seamless than it otherwise could be. So 91-92, but delicious and pleasurable. In the back end of its drinking window, but no rush; drink or hold.
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3/24/2017 - drjb Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep crimson colour with some bricking. The nose is classic Cabernet with blackcurrant, plum, cedar and violet. Some touches of fig are present. The palate is rich with plenty of mouth-filling Cabernet fruit and quite strong tannin on the finish. It lacks the distinction of a great year e.g. 2005 but is a lovely drink at present.
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3/5/2017 - marka wrote: 92 Points
Opened, poured a few oz in each stem, left open and let it sit for an hour. Wonderful nose, elegant, floral. Still young. This bottle has at least 5 years. Or, had..... Note to self: wait until 2021-23 to open the last 2.
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2/5/2017 - prasm Likes this wine: 90 Points
Consumed over 2 days (vacuvined), note from day 2. Nose: Medium plus expressiveness, black raspberry, burnt match, pine needles, and new shoe leather. Palate: Medium-full bodied, spicy dark red fruit attack, plenty of acid to balance the up front fruit, just a little thin thru the mid-palate though, rusty earthiness appears thru the back-end and dominates a mid-length finish. Lots of interesting things going on here, could use a little more mid-palate oomph to make it truly exceptional.
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11/28/2016 - thalver wrote:
What a difference a couple years can make. bottles two years ago were pleasant, if nondescript. This was VERY aged left bank Bordeaux....cedar and currant, the same with a healthy dose of minerality on the palate. It paired wonderfully with grilled leg of lamb. I wish I had more. Previous bottles were probably about 90 points, this one 93ish
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11/11/2016 - BernieMSY wrote: 93 Points
Beautifully integrated. Silky smooth and delicious. No hard edges. Tasty
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11/5/2016 - La Grappe wrote: 89 Points
Fairly deep colour; quite pure blackcurrant fruit; mature with attractive savoury notes and good length. Lacks a little roundness and complexity, but is otherwise very good.
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10/3/2016 - rmalloy wrote: 90 Points
Tasted blind. Medium-ripe plum with green pepper and good minerality. Smoked meat, game, and menthol. Round and fruity. Good weight. Medium tannins. Long finish. Rating: 90
Guess the wine: Probably Bordeaux. I will go with Left Bank. Solid wine but nothing too special.
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8/21/2016 - johnh1001 wrote: 91 Points
Not quite as open as the last bottle even after 3 hours of air. Nice coffee and red fruit. Wet stone. Rich and full but will improve.
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7/31/2016 - BernieMSY wrote: 92 Points
Very solid. Dark and plummy. No rough edges, long finish. Cassis, black fruits.
Good wine, nice value.
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7/2/2016 - BernieMSY wrote: 90 Points
Medium dark purple. Violet nose. Cassis, black currant. Nice.
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6/3/2016 - rmalloy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Plummy fruit, herbs, a little licorice, vanilla. Medium tannins, balanced, Fruit forward, tasty, easy to drink, easy to like. A winner.
Tasted even better the next day. Great balance. Everything in tune.
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5/3/2016 - La Grappe Likes this wine: 91 Points
A deep colour and a garnet edge. This is now drinking very well, and I find myself marking this quite a bit higher than previously. It has fairly concentrated, smoky fruit with a savoury element, a soft, velvety feel and good length. It is harmonious and well balanced. For drinking now, while it is at its best.
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4/24/2016 - Nanda wrote:
Pop n' pour and enjoyed over 2-3 hours with food. Medium-full nose has dark red fruit framing with notes of espresso, cedar and tobacco adding complexity. Palate is mid weight with round (though by no means roasted) fruit, velvety tannin and moderate acidity. There's some nice complexity and depth as the wine moves along it's aging curve. I like where this is now and suspect we're in a peak drinking window that should last 10+ years. Classy and finessed. A very nice low/mid end Bordeaux that has rewarded cellaring.
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2/26/2016 - Nicholas81 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Upon opening, there was a slight pervading green note. It blew off after awhile. The nose was quite subtle with hints of capsicum, cherries, cassis, spices and dried flowers. The palate was equally beguiling with slightly sweet red, blue and black berries, sous bois, dried flowers and capsicum. The sweet fruits made the difference in lifting the palate to feel brighter and fresh. The mouthfeel was slightly grainy but velvety, airy and light. Finish was medium and melded seamlessly to the mid palate. A wine of great balance in showing how the palate can have depth and slight intensity while being light and airy at the same time. A good showing for a ripe vintage. Can be enjoyed now but will still hold for a few more years.
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2/13/2016 - hoservin wrote: 92 Points
Aerated with a Vinturi and decanted for two hours. Pretty nose of cherry, currant, cocoa, anise, graphite, leather and herbs de Provence. Palate echoes the nose and leads to a long, soft, fruit driven finish. Full bodied. A very pretty wine. Paired well with pork roast and a cherry, red wine reduction sauce.
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12/27/2015 - PGB Likes this wine: 92 Points
EDJDELRAY had it right in 2013. And its still correct in 2015
"This is drinking well after an hour or two in the decanter. Dark fruit predominates on the nose and the palate and the finish is medium in length. This has good acid unlike some of the 2003's from Bordeaux. It should last for a decade." A good 2003 and there are many of them.
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12/24/2015 - marka wrote: 92 Points
It tasted like it came from margaux, its nose said it came from Margaux. Soft fruit, elegant and perfumed nose. Really nice wine to drink. Three to go. This has five years at least to go as opposed to the CT window that closes in about 2-3.
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12/20/2015 - La Grappe wrote: 89 Points
A bright colour, quite deep; this has rich, slightly sweet, plummy, even pruney, fruit, good depth and reasonable acidity. Still quite fresh, but attractive now; should keep well.
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10/31/2015 - The Count Likes this wine: 95 Points
Excellent, medium-bodied, drinking flawlessly now, will hold.
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7/3/2015 - La Grappe wrote: 88 Points
A deep colour; ripe and full blackcurrant fruit, with depth but lacking elegance and subtlety. A typical 2003 claret, in other words, and on this occasion it made a good outdoor wine.
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6/18/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
Deep ruby in color, reticent aromas of smoke, licorice, wet earth, tar, blackberry, coffee and tree bark lead to a sweet, ripe, round, medium bodied, plush, black raspberry and spice filled wine. This is drinking very nice today. I’d opt for finishing any remaining bottles over the next decade.
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6/1/2015 - 102PDLANE Likes this wine: 93 Points
Gift from a good friend. Brought to a restaurant to celebrate our anniversary. Let it breathe for about half an hour. Wine was excellent, smooth with very low tannin. Wish I had more.
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5/2/2015 - prism wrote: flawed
Corked.
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3/7/2015 - Cheungtp wrote: 92 Points
Dark garnet in color with light browning at the rim, reticent aromas of smoke, coffee bean, wood chip, wet earth and red fruits. Plush texture that appears round and creamy, lots of dark chocolate, cigar smoke and spice on the palate. The sense of alcohol seems a bit stronger than expected, acidity is at a fair level with resolved tannins. This is drinking quite nice at the moment, good but a bit simple.
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1/1/2015 - La Grappe wrote: 88 Points
A very deep colour; quite a thick texture, with fruit cake flavours and some bitterness to the blackcurrant fruit, which is quite concentrated. Some tannin still. Notwithstanding my earlier comments on this wine, I think this could improve over the next few years, although it is quite acceptable now.
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12/23/2014 - Dar3 wrote: 93 Points
Dark cherries. Very well balanced. Absolutely delicious
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12/13/2014 - Cheungtp wrote: 92 Points
Been over a year since the last bottle. It seems the wine has softened up a bit. Purpleish ruby in color, with bouquet of dark currants, floral, earth, and stone. Rich, balanced, concentrated, grippy mouth feel, with notes of blackcherry jam, cocoa bean and leather. Tannins are now softer and more delightful on the the palate. Finish is tasty but rather short.
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11/28/2014 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deep dark red center, red rim with some signs of age.
Toasty, umami, blackberries and ripe black plums, touch of pencil shavings, iron.
Smooth, soy sauce, stewed plums and black cherries, toasted oak, pencil box, crayons, wax paper, some supporting tannins and acidity, a touch salty, some greenness towards the end, a little dill, okay length of mature red fruit.
Drinking well now, has a touch of the New World about it but also reminds of a northern Italian Cabernet, doesn't show the heat of the vintage.
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10/7/2014 - La Grappe wrote: 88 Points
Ripe blackcurrant and plum fruit, with good weight, some roundness and decent length; very appealing if lacking complexity.
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8/28/2014 - Matt T Likes this wine: 92 Points
Smooth, well-integrated tannins. Moderate complexity with some light herbs, leather, and oak. Medium to short finish. Drinking extremely well now with some limited potential for improvement.
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8/15/2014 - swade wrote: 93 Points
I normally don't repost, but for significant change. It's been over two years since my last. I'll stand by the aroma and flavor profile. Decanted three hours. That was fine. It's morphed to beautiful. The texture is a rustle of satin. Refined. No over ripe or roasted accents. This is even silkier than the 2000 Ferriere and with more length. Ahh...Margaux. 93-94. From my passive, yet Wisconsin cellar.
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7/24/2014 - La Grappe wrote: 87 Points
Fairly deep colour. Attractive, rounded and reasonably full, with good blackcurrant fruit. It lacks a bit of structure and is probably best drunk while still fresh.
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6/29/2014 - brian przyzycki wrote: 92 Points
I drink way more domestic claret than bordeaux. This was probably the most enjoyable bottles I have ever had. Didn't have to try and like it, just did. No decanter this time....feel this helped extend the drinking window. Crowd favorite of the night against some good domestic bottles. Weird for all of us. The nose on this wine is infectious.
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6/15/2014 - thalver wrote:
Drinking well...tannins are largely resolved....somewhat reticent nose...medium bodied dark fruits on the palate...little development of tertiary flavors...I'm not sure if blind I'd have recognized this as Bordeaux
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4/17/2014 - chefdilletante wrote:
This has held together better than most 2003s. Some semblance of structure. Soft, fruit-forward style, as expected, but not raisined or jammy. Aromatics are muted. Pleasant but by no means memorable.
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3/29/2014 - rpontual Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking time! The wine aged very well, enjoy it.
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3/11/2014 - Ibetian wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured, drunk alongside 2003 Sociando. Drinking very well in a rich, modern style. Very good, but drink sooner rather than later.
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2/17/2014 - La Grappe Likes this wine: 87 Points
Attractive, fresh, quite lively fruit: blackcurrant and cherry. Medium weight, with a slightly dry finish and perhaps a little short. Nevertheless, an enjoyable wine that is drinking well now.
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2/1/2014 - La Grappe Likes this wine: 88 Points
Ripe plum/prune fruit, quite concentrated, with a vanilla overtone. Soft, smooth and with good length. Perhaps not the best balance, but it is good now and is not for long cellaring.
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1/21/2014 - Wine_Bear Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank 1/21/14 with stuffed quail; wine was properly stored from purchase upon release until opened; Big initial bouquet of perfume and the French countryside; deep rich color; good legs; shouts "Bordeaux".
After 5 minutes: CASSIS! dark berries and red berries;
After 10 minutes: Berries overtake the cassis, big black fruit, along with mission and kadota figs;
After 15 minutes: still strong bouquet of berries and figs;
After 20 minutes: more berries emerge, blueberries, blackberries, boysenberries, still has cassis.
After 35 minutes: peaches, plums, pluots, honeysuckle, walnuts;
After 60 minutes, back to perfume, still lovely. Mouthwatering wine. In perfect balance, tannin is resolved but still keeps the wine going.
In the end, a hint of coffee and chocolate.
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1/6/2014 - cnordstr wrote: 90 Points
Sweet, sharp, modern styled, not as good today as I remember it.
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12/27/2013 - Ibetian wrote: 91 Points
For some reason this is making a better impression than the bottle from the same case (purchased EP and perfectly stored) several days ago. Nice, complex nose. The palate seems much better, less thick, more Bordeaux like, better mouthfeel, still a bit sweet in the finish. Still not a style that makes me wish I had bought more, but I'll enjoy what I own now.
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12/20/2013 - Ibetian wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. This is an enjoyable wine, but it is clearly a modern- style wine that can hardly be recognized as Bordeaux let alone Margaux. It is rich, thick and sweet. A crowd pleaser, as long as there are no traditionalists in the crowd! I'll drink my bottles over the next couple of years, don't see this making old bones.
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11/8/2013 - rpontual Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nice dark red color. On the nose, leather and oak. On the palate good balance. The tannins are nice, it is reaching or at peak. The wine is lighter than I anticipated, but very nice.
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11/3/2013 - Grinner wrote: 92 Points
17th Annual Lyon 10 Year Retrospective (The Lyon's Tree House): Wine of the flight, this one leaned heavily on its silky texture for enjoyment. Nice depth of plum, cassis, and a little pepper/herb. Tannins more obvious on day 2: 90.
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9/29/2013 - jmoon wrote: 91 Points
Muted nose, a bit closed after 30 mins. Dark dense fruits, smokey, not hugely distinct. Still unwinding. Retry in 3 yrs or give a decent decant
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9/13/2013 - edjBoca Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is drinking well after an hour or two in the decanter. Dark fruit predominates on the nose and the palate and the finish is medium in length. This has good acid unlike some of the 2003's from Bordeaux. It should last for a decade.
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9/1/2013 - WStucker wrote: 93 Points
ust starting it's drinking window. Needs about an hour of air at this time.
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8/23/2013 - marka wrote: 94 Points
Wow. Soft, floral, elegant. This is what I expect from something from Margaux. Fruity, well balanced. This is a really good wine. This is what I expected when I bought it. It has the qualities of the Giscours.
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6/30/2013 - Chateau du Fey 1994 wrote: 93 Points
Floral and perfumed on the nose with some oak and obvious fruit. Very concentrated dark fruits and a bit jammy, but in good balance with solid tannins still present and good acidity. Overall, a solid wine and a bit unusual for bordeaux (from my experience at least). Would buy again.
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6/14/2013 - Cheungtp Likes this wine: 92 Points
Another solid showing from this delicious 2003 Malescot, third time tasting in as many months, consistent showing and quality. Dark core with clear rim, aromas of dark currants, violet, perfume, flint stone, earth, and hint of smokey pepper, very appealing. On the palate, plush, concentrated, grippy mouth feel, with notes of cherry and coffee bean. Nice structure with good balancing amounts of chewy tannins and acidic freshness. Decent finish with tobacco smoke and cherry.
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6/8/2013 - pavel_p wrote: 91 Points
Following the discussion with Papies and the not very convincing 03 St. Pierre, I decided to open another of my 03 Bdx. A smell of alcohol and port makes me very worried upon pulling the cork but after about 30-45 minutes in the decanter this settles down nicely. Dark garnet almost to the rim, then dark fruit, earth, coffee, some herbs and a bit of oak. On the palate this is very lush and fat but comes across as a bit bland. A bit like a dish cooked with plenty of butter - can be yummy but a bit simple. The wine looks in the glass and tastes on the palate like 14-14.5 alcohol but the label only states 13.5, not sure about that. Very fine tannins. Medium finish with coffee.
This is a good wine and works for me as such but by no means your typical Margaux. 90-91
PS: The rest of the bottle was showing better than a 2000 Smith Haut Lafitte on day 2.
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6/7/2013 - The Count Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking well
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5/21/2013 - grenache lover Likes this wine: 90 Points
A bit closed, it opened slowly in the glass. All in balance, good fruit, oak well integrated both in nose and mouth. Good considering what a mess 2003 is on average, but not really exciting. I will let my other bottle for a few more years.
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5/18/2013 - Cheungtp wrote: 91 Points
Birthday dinner gathering with 2003 wines (Hong Kong): Another soild showing, bouquet of flowers, stone, earth and truffle, though not as sharp as hoped for. Balanced mouth feel, with currants, cherry and smoke, chewy tannins and medium length jammy, smokey finish.
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5/11/2013 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
One of the best values in the entire Margaux appellation, this is turning out nicely with a fragrant nose of flowers, cocoa, black cherry, coffee bean and earth. Soft, supple and plush in texture, the wine ends with a smooth, round, ripe, dark berry finish. Drink now for pleasure, or age it a few more years for additional complexity. Either way, the wine delivers a lot of pleasure and at a fair price too!
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4/28/2013 - mclanew wrote: 89 Points
Very open, a bit fat, fruit forward, voluptous for a bordeaux. Quite enjoyable but not very complex or interesting. Doesnt require much decanting.
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4/27/2013 - cnordstr wrote: 93 Points
So full of fruit, def ready to drink, long aftertaste :)
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4/6/2013 - Cheungtp Likes this wine: 93 Points
A mini Palmer vertical: This beautiful ruby red claret is delicious. It has a fantastic nose with Margaux characters, floral, earth, truffle, currants and perfume, it makes you wanting to smell it continuously and get soaked up in it. Malescot is probably considered more masculine from Margaux, so tannins are firm but they are juicy and balancing well with the medium acidity in the wine itself. Very nice structure, dense, close to full bodied mouth feel, with taste of licorice, ripe berry, smoke and tea leaf. Finish is medium, with taste of tobacco and jam. The wine should benefit with more cellar time to develop more complexity.
This wine was drunk up after three delicious Palmers, but it shined its own light with a delightful tasting. It's market price is fair, recommended.
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3/2/2013 - cnordstr wrote: 92 Points
I love this wine. Stunning, sweet, such good length, such good drinkability.
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1/21/2013 - godx wrote: 87 Points
La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Vancouver - 2003 Left Bank Dinner (Bistro Pastis): This was very forward with a creamy and ripe nose of black and blue fruits, spice and hint of floral. Big, soft and supple mouthfeel with sweet dark fruit flavours, oak and a touch of spice. There’s decent acidity here which adds some lift to the round and warm profile along with ripe but drying tannins. Some heat on the finish as well. A decent drink but this doesn’t show a lot of Margaux typicity and, for my tastes, borders on being too ripe. Drink or hold. Good.
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1/21/2013 - MattTM wrote:
Commanderie de Bordeaux: 2003 Left Bank Dinner (Pastis - Vancouver, BC): Quite expressive on the nose offering a lot of rich blackberry jam and black pepper spice upfront, along with some violet floral aromas, fresh mint, herbs, and a touch of blueberry. Plenty of ripe black cherry comes through on the palate, as well as more black pepper and sweet blackberry, oak, asphalt, and a bit of green pepper. Lots of underlying acidity and gripping tannins. A long length finish ending on notes of rich black cherry and black pepper. There's a bit of heat on the palate but it's not overly distracting. This was on the edge of being too ripe for me, but some time should help this soften and balance out a bit more. Very good -
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1/12/2013 - Primordialsoup Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped, decanted, and drank over 4 hours.
Short version: Light and ethereal with superfine tannins and great balance and a long satisfying finish.
Conversation piece: Upon opening was closed and probably a bit too cool. Some eucalyptus and menthol, but that could just be the alcohol coming through with little else in complement.
Hour 1: Warmer on the nose and in the glass showing a toasty spiciness. Still a bit tight but opening. More herbal and vegetal at this stage. Smooth gritty tannins. All in balance.
Hour 2: Darker warmer fruit coming through. This has rewarding flavors yet remains elegant on the palate. Just when it seems it will be chewy it melts off the tongue. A dustiness on a finish that evolves as it lingers. Plenty of acidity here. Should roll along nicely over the next 5-8+.
Hour 3: Paired with short ribs braised with cabernet and a roux. Just melts away in the mouth. An ethereal red. Some could describe this attribute as thin, but I see it as being light but fulfilling (in part due to the satisfying finish). Impressed by it having a weighlessness yet yielding plenty of fruit. Charcoal and cedar showing. All in harmony. Works really well with roasted brussels sprouts- great play between the char of the sprouts and the minerality/earthiness (graphite) of the wine. Finish continues to impress.
I was really looking forward to opening this as I have enjoyed the last two very much. This one did not disappoint. Excellent Chateau. Superb wine. I will likely seek out more and may even open the purse strings to acquire some 09's/10's.
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12/29/2012 - WStucker wrote: 91 Points
Was quite tight upon opening, relaxed after about an hour in the glass. Supple tannins, chocolate, blackberry, well integrated fruit. Next time I think a 2 to 4 hour decant will do it some good. Ready to drink, but will hold for a number of years. Well worth the original $39 price tag.
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11/10/2012 - rpontual Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice dark red color. On the nose, light oak and some pepper or sour. On the palate good acidity and some fruit, perhaps red grape. The tannins are nice. The wine is lighter than I anticipated, but very nice.
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11/5/2012 - keithgg wrote: 92 Points
Very tasty! Sweet tannins, round and supple and not overripe.
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10/23/2012 - cnordstr wrote: flawed
Corked, from half bottle.
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10/20/2012 - PSUSteve wrote: 92 Points
At a charity event so not sure how long open. Don't remember a lot but remember the lead pencil shavings.
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10/19/2012 - Ericsson wrote: 90 Points
Maginifique couleur. Imprégné de bois, beau potentiel. Attendre
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10/8/2012 - prism wrote: 92 Points
Slow O'd for two hours. Medium ruby, lighter red at the edges, no bricking apparent. Perfumed Margaux nose, stronger with vigorous swirling. On the palate, red ripe cherries, blackberries, sweet tobacco. Soft and delicious. Very well integrated tannins, and delicious now, though will probably improve with more bottle age.
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9/22/2012 - Flavito wrote: 89 Points
Sweet and round, a little overripe.
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9/15/2012 - paulst wrote: 93 Points
Nice blackberry and lead pencil nose; soft sweet intrgrated nice textured tannins; silky and elegant; textured smooth soft sweet finish.
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8/1/2012 - johnh1001 wrote: 93 Points
Drank over 2hrs. Did not decant. A really pleasant surprise. Vibrant nose of black berries, coffee, and some wood. More dark fruit, coffee and beefy notes on the palate which was silky and full in the mouth. This did seem a little more evolved than I would have expected, but I supposed that is the vintage. A medium, smooth finish. Clearly will hold, but good right now.
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6/17/2012 - paulst wrote: 91 Points
Earthy elegant with austere blackberry; nice texture and integrated tannins.
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6/17/2012 - Nursing a Hangover wrote: 92 Points
not a lot of fruit on the nose and palate...
Nose- roasted coffee, meat, toast, tar
Palate- med acidity, med tannin's, mild black fruit-plum, coffee, chocolate, earth
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4/13/2012 - fblais wrote: 86 Points
Nose of black berry, grilled bread, tar, very ripe. Palate is heavy, rustic tannins, full trottle fruit, sweet, finish is on overriped black fruit. Better served slightly chilled
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4/8/2012 - swade wrote: 92 Points
Decanted four hours. Concentrated appearance and palate. Deep color of dark cherry wood. Exuberant, fascinating aromas of menthol and unsmoked, moist cherry pipe tobacco and flowers. Ripe palate characteristic of the vintage - not classic - full and nodding to California cab, but really, really excellent. Palate saturating layers of sweet black cherry, a whisper of fresh tree-picked tart choke cherry, bonfire ash and clove. Well made. Harmonious balance of fruit, polished tannins and acid. Medium plus finish. This is drinkable now and will be a treat for years.
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2/5/2012 - CTwine wrote: 93 Points
I like the fruit of the 03's not complex more like a Calif. Cab
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2/1/2012 - tp096255 wrote: 90 Points
---
COLOR: Deep garnet with ruby-garnet rim
NOTE: Nice sweet blackberry liqueur in the nose, complemented by some cherry pipe tobacco and kirsch. Mouth is medium-heavy with nice, ripe tannins that are full of sweet blackberry/strawberry/mulberry fruit. The finish is medium weight but remains fruity for a good 15 seconds, then fades to the cherry pipe tobacco element. Never drying or astringent, just pleasant. Hint of espresso. One of the better Bor-doughs I've ever had, and I could enjoy the whole bottle. Seems ready to go but could improve with some time in the bottle I suppose. Finishes way ahead in 1st place out of 3 Bor-dough today. Still not a great QPR.
DECANT: 1 hr
GLASS USED: Bordeaux
TASTE: 9.0+
OTHER:
COST: 46
VALUE: 6.5
PREVIOUSLY TASTED: n/a
TRY AGAIN: now - 2020
PAIRING: n/a
Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net
---
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12/27/2011 - d'Yquembe Mutombo wrote:
Decanted for 1 hour. Atypical but delicious. Waves of menthol/eucalyptus/camphor emerge through the dark fruits. Alcohol is prominent on the finish, and while I would normally find this to be problematic, it just works with this Malescot. Medium bodied and elegant. Continued to improve with airtime. 91-92
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12/4/2011 - S. Lorin wrote: 90 Points
Nice and very margaux - medium bodied, perfumed, dark fruit, more on the elegant side
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11/27/2011 - Chainthroer wrote: 91 Points
Light red at the rim. A medium ruby color; has some reddish characteristics as if bricking may be in its initial stage. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, some cherry, leather, spice, oak, a tad of graphite. Medium concentration and depth of fruit. A decent finish. Pairs nicely with prime rib-eye. I recall consuming this wine in 2006 - it was extremely approachable and fat then. Seems just a little leaner now, but still quite nice. In June 2010, I rated this wine 93.
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10/1/2011 - hoservin wrote: 91 Points
2.5 hour decant. Consistent tasting notes.
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8/4/2011 - Champagneinhand wrote: 92 Points
This is really good. a serious amount of blackberry, cassis, forest floor and a nice acid/tannin balance. Decanted for 3 hours and am almost 1/2 way through the bottle.
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6/3/2011 - zheem wrote:
Very easy to drink. nothing "sticks out and grabs your attention", but there is a rich presence of balanced flavors and structure that make it most excellent with food. Mid palate is fresh, like water, some anise, tar, sandalwood followed by a subtle finish with mild astringency.
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5/29/2011 - isdblm@lsu.edu wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for three hours and drunk with luscious ribs--a beautiful pairing. Spiciness prominent in a nice balance with the typical left-bank black-fruits and oak, soft in a manner that wines of the Margaux appellation often deliver.
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4/24/2011 - curtispomeroy wrote: 92 Points
Another very good showing of this wine. Further evidence that the '03 Bordeaux wines are drinking very well right now and probably won't be getting any better. That's OK because where they are is really quite good.
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4/21/2011 - Andrewsalute wrote: 92 Points
Somewhat muted and soft for a relatively young bordeaux, but with excellent balance and supple flavor
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4/16/2011 - hoservin wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for 3 hours. A beautiful ruby red color. Nose and flavors of blackberry, blueberry, spice, leather, and oak. On the light side of medium bodied. Dark fruit with smooth tannins on the mid-palate, with a long, soft finish. Nice balance and complexity. Paired beautifully with filet béarnaise. A very enjoyable bottle.
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4/15/2011 - pikemasterflash wrote: 91 Points
This wine took a surprising long time to open up. No explosive fruit or heat that some have mentioned. After more than an hour of air, I would have guessed this was a Grauad Larose based on its nose--musty leather. I didn't taste Margaux in this bottle. I would suggest giving these at least an hour of air at a minimum. This got better with air time but I have to admit I am somewhat disappointed. I would suggest that it is on par, but only slightly better than an '01 GL but almost double the price. Honestly, I might have scored this a point or so higher if I didn't know what it was.
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11/27/2010 - yenda wrote: 90 Points
Not bad but to large extent victim of the hot summer. Not enough acidity in my opinion, wonder how it will develop furtherg
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11/27/2010 - curtispomeroy wrote: 92 Points
Definitely more new world than classic Bordeaux but this was a big hit with the crowd. Paired with beef tenderloin. Wife says she gives it two thumbs up.
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11/27/2010 - hpchew7 wrote: 86 Points
Stood bottle for few days in the cellar. Opened about 6 hours before dinner and decanted an hour before. Nose very closed, blackcurrants evident tho. Surprisingly non-Margaux on the palate, even burnt favor (obviously hot summer), tannins smooth, alcohol just in balance. Overall disappointed, hope rest of the bottles will show better!
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11/2/2010 - JulianSkeels wrote: 91 Points
Was disappointed - not at all Margaux. Will develop further complexity over time but this should better be evaluated alongside new world wines (hence my lower score - didn't register the blueberry and floral notes expected). Modern expression with sweet rasberry and charcol flavours; can drink now with 2hr+ decant but would recommend waiting further 5 years. Went long on the 2009 - hope it's more terrior driven.
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8/18/2010 - Primordialsoup wrote: 94 Points
An intoxicating, room-filling nose with plenty of camphor- just fantastic. Is this what Margaux is all about? A fine example I believe (even if new-worldy in it's style). An excellent pairing with lamb chops and venison (yet another good reason to go out to dinner with your spouse- plate sharing!). If you have one bottle, consider drinking now. If you have more than one- what are you waiting for?
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8/7/2010 - Racer117 wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 3 hours (but sneak peak right after decanting is enticing...). Minimal fine sediment in the bottle. Surprising aged coloring, brick red body with browning rim. It's show time! This is delivering the goods right now. This starts with aromas of sweet cherries and sweet tannins. A touch of camphor keeps it complex. Flavors of ripe, full berries and fruits with a dusting of earth. This all wraps up with a medium length, minimally tannic finish. Did the label say Napa?!! This really comes off as new world versus old so I can imagine plently of doubters and haters on this vintage. But... though different, this is a wonderful wine.
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7/17/2010 - plitton wrote: 92 Points
Upon opening, delicate, medium body and super terroir-driven. Great delivery to the palate that just expands in the finish, with tannins that don't overpower--they hold it all together. It has some youthful character in the fruit. A wonderfully crafted wine that should continue to age nicely for 10 more years. Next bottle in 2014.
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6/14/2010 - Nursing a Hangover wrote: 94 Points
Coffee on the nose after 1 hour decant time. Great acidity and tannin structure...has many years left. Fruit-plummy, mocha and some earth on the palate.
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3/12/2010 - sterin wrote: 92 Points
Very good...still too young...and has a sweet factor to it.
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3/6/2010 - DougLee wrote: 88 Points
Nice lighter purple. Nose of raspberry and currant, with a bit of smoke to it. Fruit-forward and still fairly primary at this point, with red currant, plum, moca, and earthy flavors culminating in a moderate finish. Tannins structured, acidity moderate to low, fruit very ripe. Has the goods I think but needs lots more time.
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2/14/2010 - edjBoca wrote: 94 Points
Wow....one of the mid-weight stars of the 2003 vintage in Bordeaux. It is amazing how smooth and integrated the tannins have become. Decanted for an hour. Dark in color; full to the rim. Coffee and currant aromas. Medium to full body. Expansive mid-palate and smooth tannins. Nice 20 second finish. Next one in 2 years....
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11/30/2009 - Bomba wrote: 95 Points
Classic Margaux. Coffee, pan grille, forest floor. Very focused fruit. Wow.
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3/26/2009 - theusualsuspect wrote: 91 Points
Not easy to sort out intitially. Seemed a bit thin, but an hour of air and it fleshed out nicely. Unexpected in the sense that it is nicely extracted and concentrated without remotely being dense or heavy. Coffee and a bit cassisy. Really tasty flavor in this wine - much to my liking.
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2/7/2009 - 1981er wrote: 89 Points
While this will age for some years, at least at this time it seems to be one of the more accessible drinkers of the vintage and is open for business. Sitting with a dark garnet color there are aromas of cassis, herbs and a little spice that all transition into the palate with a luscious mouthfeel and finished with chewy tannin. The only issue I have here is that it’s a little thin with a short finish, but this is a charming wine that I think would be great for the dinner table.
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1/1/2009 - soyhead wrote: 89 Points
Opened and tasted - my initial impression was that its a thin herbaceous wine. By the end of the evening after 6+ hours in the decanter, it had developed a delicious bouqet, almost reminded me of a Red Burgundy. Well balanced with complexity. When tried side by side the 2005 Orin Swift Papillion, it was less fruity, but had more secondary flavors.
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12/13/2008 - Nacnud wrote:
When a wine that is not my style makes an impression on me, I figure it's firing on all cylinders. Decidely modern but damn, this is tasty. Plush, expansive, rich and loaded - this packs a lot of punch - but in the end, this can only come from Bordeaux. Dark fruits, which go with the vintage, but never over ripe, this reminds me of Lascombe and a nice contrast to D'Issan. Hard to resist.
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12/5/2008 - davergny wrote: 91 Points
Didn't get any roasted qualities. Medium body, tobacco and berries, a bit tannic and nice finish. Liked it a lot.
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10/24/2008 - beezer6 wrote: 94 Points
Grand Bordeaux Tasting w/ Jill (Binny's South Loop - Chicago, IL): Binny's South Loop October Bordeaux Wine Tasting.
Lush and beautiful. Very floral in style. Tons of dark purple flowers and fruit.
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7/26/2008 - BordeauxNut wrote: 90 Points
Saturday Club (Home): Very 2003... a bit of brett blows off, then there's that typical praline aroma you get in so many of the '03s. A bit superficial in that much of the palate impact is front-loaded. The wine's affect is all in the beginning and middle -- the finish is hollow. That said, there's a lot to like here. It needs a little grip and depth -- and, it will be interesting to see if/how this wine ages.
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7/12/2008 - theusualsuspect wrote: 92 Points
Really surprisingly ready to drink from the get go. Cassis and some wood on the nose, a silky cassis and maybe blueberry elegance on the palate. Shows real richness andVery very nice length. All in excellent balance without heat. A really quaffy mouthful. Four hours in maybe a little more weight. Fits the 03 Bordeaux profile to a T. Put the 03 Talbot very much in the shade.
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3/15/2008 - loverboy wrote: 93 Points
Deep ruby red color, pretty young so need much open time. after 3 hours the wine showed red plum, little creamy nose, leather. Very forward style of wine. But not too modern. Smooth tannin, great aftertaste.
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12/16/2007 - Nacnud wrote:
Second bottle not nearly as good. Sort of flat and dull - possibly exposed to heat. Tasted by many other people at the same time and there was a general lack of enthusiasm (which concurs with other notes on this wine on cellar tracker).
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12/4/2007 - Nacnud wrote:
Yummy. This is quite a wine. At this point in its life it's not for the purist looking for traditional/old school bordeaux but people will always find a reason to complain. There is a ton of baby fat still on this 2003 so it drinks great right out of the gate but after about an hour of air it started to show its true colors (which was more terroir). Intense color, plush on the palate, complex, and great length. A great example of a well made modern bordeaux. I wish I had more, this should be stellar in five years.
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8/18/2007 - EMichels wrote: 91 Points
Subdued but pleasant nose; Great balance; Beautiful fruit with good complexity; Black cherry; Coffee
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6/9/2007 - Arcturus wrote: 88 Points
Decanted 1 hour, drank over the next 4. Kept waiting for the wine to open up, never really did. Touch of oak and toast on the nose, tongue coating mid palate. heavy tannins but enough dark fruit to prevent it from crossing the border into austere. Revisit in a few years, for now 88-90
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5/27/2007 - PontetCanet wrote: 91 Points
Initially, very flowery nose along with a heavy blueberry aspect. On the palate, blood and steel with a rather flat feel. Not very concentrated. After an hour or so it opens up to tart berry flavors, along with road tar and smoke. Good acidity. Decent bottle but much better wine from the 2003 vintage.
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1/27/2007 - marka wrote: 90 Points
Closed. Color was deep, dark purple; nose was bright fruit, alcohol, oak; palate was a bit weak with velvety tannins. Too young. Save the rest of the 03s until at least 2010.
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1/24/2007 - PontetCanet wrote: 90 Points
Very nice bottle. Nose was pure flowers. Good fruit. Approachable now.
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1/20/2007 - tanglenet wrote:
Served at K&L at a tasting. Sweet nose, rather closed right now, with a dry oaky finish. Needs time but Good.
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12/8/2006 - thebonnydooner wrote: 91 Points
Drank with a steak after a shitty long week of work....
Decanted for around 2 hours. This is many years from prime time. Deep opaque colour, more plum and dark garnet with a garnet tinge on the rim. Nose is really dark and intense, powerful but not giving up loads of aromatics, inky, blackcurrant and prune with tobacco, wood and maybe a little herb. Palate continues the theme, good acidity, framed by lots of fine tannins, dark concentrated currant and dark plummy fruit. Good long finish. Need some complexity to merit a higher score, but all the pieces seem in place for this to age really well.
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11/3/2006 - ancientvines wrote: 95 Points
Drank with Sue's parents in SF. This wine was wonderful. Big, fruity, not harsh.
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10/28/2006 - duchamp wrote: 93 Points
Bouquet of sweet gummy fruit, very tight, big explosive tannins, short finish, may develop with time, hard to tell
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10/24/2006 - keithgg wrote:
Not ready. Rather wild. Should have a good future.
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10/15/2006 - Maverick wrote: 91 Points
Drink well young in my opinion and comparable to the 1996 though not a smooth yet. Still, fruit forward, long and powerful. Very tasty.
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9/21/2006 - paulst wrote: 90 Points
Blackberry, currant and leather.Young with good balance.
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7/9/2006 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 85 Points
This takes a long while to compose itself and shed its rusticity. For an hour or more it is a sloppy, messy wine with rough tannic edges and lots of coloring outside the lines. Dark black fruit suggests rich underlying raw material, but the fruit is muted by tannin and generally lacks freshness. Never very expressive aromatically but with enough time the wine comes into better balance with more forward fruit and prominent cedarwood flavors. As a tasting experience this is a fun wine, as wild as a bull!, but a claret at this price point should show more manners and refinement.
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7/7/2006 - Nanda wrote: 93 Points
Chablis and 03 Bordeaux Dinner (HB: A Hearty Boys Spot): Aromas of coffee, cocoa, toast and dark fruits. A chewy, full-bodied palate that offers plenty of ripe fruit and leather. Tannic and low acidity - this wine had a unique character and should develop quite nicely.
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4/30/2006 - Jozefs wrote: 91 Points
Opened 20:15. Fairly meaty nose, with a hint of smoke and a small lactic element. The nose remains rather closed. The palate is more balanced and much less tannic then the Gruaud Laroze tasted just before. However, the tannins are still noticeable and the fruit is clearly pushed to the background by it. Spicy aftertaste. Put away for 24 hrs.
Next day (evening): The nose remains closed. Some spices, a hint of alcohol, some meat. The palate is more approachable but still dominated by its tannins. However, the red and black fruits are now shining through. Spicy aftertaste. I'll put the remainder of the bottle away for another day.
Third day (evening): Ahh, this is much better now. The nose remains subdued, but I get some black fruit and its syrup, black coffee and spices. The palate is more balanced, while still fairly tannic. But the delicious black fruit has come to the forefront. In addidtion I get coffee, spices, a lactic element. Still no trace of oxidation. One for the long haul, surely.
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1/23/2006 - PanosKakaviatos Likes this wine: 93 Points
A spectacular nose, alternating among vivid aromas of cassis, spice and flowers. The palate is seriously tannic, but full-bodied and flavorful. A success for the vintage.
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3/30/2004 - peternelson wrote: 90 Points
Ch. Giscours: Light brown sugar and cigar box nose; cassis, interesting character! Grt hi-note mth--cedar, frty stems; big t’s fin.***Nice, lots of character, 4-5 yrs to go.
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