October 25, 2017 - Russk. Pablo brought to the WIC. It was my wine of the night austere but with great balance. Glad I have a couple more bottles.
July 7, 2017 - As good as many of the 2003 St Estephes are, this one isn't. The fruit has an off putting quality and more than a bit harsh into the finish.. Not defective, just a really tough drink.
October 15, 2016 - A bit rustic, but nonetheless very appealing, good fruit and smooth tannin. Decent length, on the whole a nice bottle of Classic bordeaux. Drink now!
July 22, 2016 - Russk. 90+ points. Savory, satisfying, ready and low alcohol.
April 29, 2016 - My earlier note stands. Mouth filling on entry but turns into a bitter note fairly quickly and through the finish.
May 9, 2015 - Most of the notes here seem to be either neutral or negative. My view is more positive. It is not a blockbuster by any stretch of the imagination but a soft and pleasant Bordeaux; tannins are not prominent. Probably not typical of St Estephe and certainly not of the 2003 vintage but for the cost, a decent enough wine.
Unlikely to improve and probably needs drinking. My stocks in bond will be not be sold but drunk. Bordeaux even of this calibre does not come along at circa £120 in bond very often. At twelve years and ten in bottle, certainly value for money.
January 9, 2015 - Small amount of fine grained deposit. Deep and intensive flavours, balanced acidity, great mouth feel, medium level of tannins with a well integrated structure.
This wine is past its best, definitively. Drink now or within 1-2 years.
November 14, 2014 - A bit boring to be honest. Nothing wrong with it, just having a hard time finding anything that excites me in this wine.
Nose is quite typical Bdx with burned tar, wood, ceder, and a rather big bunch of red fruit. No maturation to speak of. Decent on the palate with a medium acidy, quite dry finish and a good length.
Won't buy again.
September 22, 2014 - required some patience and coaxing to get to a happy drinking stage- 45 mins to an hour of air. On the nose heavy scents of oak, chocolate, vanilla, gentle spices. Red currant and mature berry fruit round out a very aromatic bordeaux. On the palate the aggressive oak is more apparent, chocking the fruit; which is now into its secondary stage of life. Despite the bottle age the remaining fruit remains green. An acidic and bitter finish does add complexity to the sour cherry. Requires food to really shine, but an overall extremely pleasant drinking experience
January 8, 2014 - Pleasant nose - very flat and boring palate tending towards the cooked, flabby and astringent.