March 25, 2024 - Nose: rose petals, soap, hints of leather, Asian spice, red fruits, hints of mocha, raspberry
Notes: 13.8％ ABV. Clos Vougeot has never been my favorite but Meo has always delivered surprises to me for this vineyard and is probably one of my favorites for Clos Vougeot. With a typical rose petal and soap nose from Meo I'm really enjoying this surprisingly good 2003 in the beginning but unfortunately after a while the wine becomes a little heavy, overripe and perhaps a little dull. A couple more years of cellaring might improve but I guess it's not going to change this fundamentally.
Drink: 2027+
Rating: 91
December 11, 2021 - Profoundly dark, with very thin clear meniscus. No evidence of oxidation. Aromatically ~ black tea, deep dark cherries, subtle creosote, lavender, wild beeswax, delicate asian 5-spice, new(ish) belt leather... and pencil lead. There's a lot to unpack here... no trace of overexpression from the hot vintage. Tasting... dark, rich, satisfying, savory with adequate black fruit, softly grippy in the finish, more pencil lead... delicious. Beautiful & elegant on day 3 after opening, decanting, & rebottling. Can easily go another 6-8 years in proper cellar.
September 8, 2021 - Elegant mushroomy flauvors, intense blackberries, refined licorice/pepper mix, very intense and complex. This is really, really enjoyable and good, no hot year feel despite the vintage. A impressive effort, clearly my WOTN.
May 24, 2021 - A very well made 2003 with spice, wild berries, herbs and pepper. Excellent precision for a super ripe vintage. Very balanced with sufficient acidity. Drinking at peak. No need to wait.
January 3, 2021 - My least favorite vintage but a great wine.
Threw some earth and leather in the beginning but soon fresher notes emerged of spice and fruit. Great length and balanced in the mouth. Could use a bit more feshness but this is a 2003
January 12, 2019 - Robe rubis grenat foncé.
Nez exubérant de bois de santhal, pétales de rose et confiture de fraise.
Bouche suave avec un côté confituré mais une acidité présente qui équilibre le tout; un peu sucreux avec grande longueur. Grande bouteille
April 30, 2017 - Fabulous. Tons of cherry, clove, cinnamon and mace on the palate. Something pleasantly herbaceous on the edge of the nose. Just perfect balance between sweet and sour. Tannins already very soft. Nice vanilla notes as well. Slightly short at the back,denying this a score closer to perfect but in terms of sheer enjoyment, this is quibbling with a very, very fine bottle. Seemed at peak now. No point in keeping longer though it should last for several more years. Very supple. Wow.
August 23, 2016 - Gregg's Belated Birthday (Formento's - Chicago IL): We were expected the 2001 vintage, but this 2003 showed up and I wasn't disappointed. Rich black fruit with slightly sweet spice, but still nicely balanced and also nicely fresh. Upside from here.
March 30, 2015 - Spicy rich and sweet ripe black cherries. Ribena and very ripe with minty notes
March 27, 2015 - Peter's 40th (Summer Pavilion, Ritz Carlton, Singapore): We caught this just as it was entering an upswing I think. Impressive on the night, it will be even better in 5-6 years, maybe even needing a bit more time than that before it hits peak. The nose was very attractive even now though, showing a very assertive, very engaging mélange of dried earth and spice, smoky tar and mineral, and a deep core of ripe dark fruited aromas that reminded me of black cherries. Much in keeping with the nose, the palate was rich and sappy, with a real sense of depth and power to its dark shades of black cherries and blackberries infused with spice and dried earth and mineral notes. While certainly big and broad-shouldered and powerful, there was a really impressive balance on the wine, with surprisingly juicy acidity for a 2003 wine that lent it a certain finesse. Great finish too, with lovely, juicy dark berry notes. This was quite an achievement for a 2003 Clos de Vougeot. Full, complete and delicious, and yet built with the balance and structure to age effortlessly.