2003 Bordeaux tasting (from 2011)

Tasted Sunday, December 23, 2018 by HowardNZ with 372 views

Introduction

The following are some old TNs I recently found I did of a tasting of 29 May 2011.

The tasting was at the Magnum Society, Wellington and was attended by 31 tasters. Wines were served single blind and were scored No Award (NA), Bronze (B), Silver (S) or Gold (G).

David provided his (usual) expert and well researched pre-tasting notes where he contrasted the American view of the vintage (generally extolling their opulence, ripeness and New World structure) and the British perspective (pointing to the same features, interpreting them as lack of classic structure, pedigree and freshness). He also noted that it was a vintage that preferred cabernet sauvignon over merlot. And so it proved to be on the night …

Flight 1 (6 Notes)

  • 2003 Château Léoville Barton

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    A good introduction to the tasting. A nose redolent of ripe fruit, cassis and sandlewood. Light and fine grained, one taster described the wine as ethereal. A generous wine with ripe tannins and earthiness and flavours of baked herbs. Overall, tasters’ third favourite wine.

    NA = 0, B = 1, S = 17, G = 12, WON = 6

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2003 Château Montrose

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    An attractive nose of plum jam, black fruits, sage and spiciness, with one taster detecting earthy and capsicum notes. A controversial wine with grippy tannins, although these softened with the food. Some tasters found the wine attractive while others argued for a lack of structure and a drop off on the palate, considering the wine sappy and woody. Overall, fourth equal of the six wines.

    NA = 0, B = 4, S = 13, G = 14, WON = 2

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2003 Château Cos d'Estournel

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Boysenberry, spices, mint and smokiness were detected on the nose. Tasters noted aromas of ripe, dark fruits with some fragrance. The Cos was a big, fleshy, concentrated, but balanced wine with grippy tannins, a nice acid cut and a dry finish. Tasters detected flavours of capsicum and chocolate. One taster described it as a classic cabernet sauvignon.

    NA = 0, B = 0, S = 12, G = 17, WON = 2

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2003 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Notes of licorice, vanilla and raisins on the nose. This was not a popular wine. It exhibited a heavy palate weight with extraction and favours of black currant and chocolate. The wine was described as slightly overcooked or a touch baked with overly aggressive acids and a sort finish. Some heat was also detected on the finish. Least preferred wine at the tasting.

    NA = 0, B = 9, S = 19, G = 2, WON = 0

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2003 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    The wine of the night exhibited floral, one taster said rose petal, blackberry and herbs notes. The wine was ripe, vibrant and finely textured with gorgeous acids and a good level of complexity. Tasters commented on the black fruit flavours, opulence, good structure and refined tannins of the wine. One taster agreed that the wine had an elegant entry but considered that it lacked savoury complexity. Overall, the view was very favourable and this wine was voted wine of the night.

    NA = 0, B = 0, S = 10, G = 21, WON = 14

    Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2003 Château Margaux

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    A controversial wine that divided tasters. Tasters detected aromas of cigar box, violets, spiciness, blackberry and earth, while those less favourably inclined cited musty, forest floor and charred elements. The oak regime, that was clear from the wine’s nose, was one of the key points of division among tasters. Those in the pro camp, including the writer, were not deterred by the oak elevage and argued for the purity of fruit, good structure, well balanced tannins and good weight present in the wine. The anti camp considered the wine too New World in style, chocolaty and over oaked and noted heat on the back palate. Overall, however the Margaux was second preferred in the wine of the night voting.

    NA = 0, B = 1, S = 11, G = 18, WON = 8

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

×
×