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Margaux 2003 (1.5L)
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Critic Scores, Reviews & Descriptions
99 RP / 98 WA / 98 JS / 98 WCI / 97 DE / 96 VM / 96 WE / 95 WS / 95 JA / 18 JR
Am I being too stingy with the 2003 Chateau Margaux? A wine of extraordinary complexity and intensity, it reveals a deep purple color, a style not unlike the 1990 Margaux (possibly even more concentrated), a velvety texture, and notes of spring flowers interwoven with camphor, melted licorice, creme de cassis, and pain grille. Not a blockbuster, it offers extraordinary intensity as well as a surreal delicacy/lightness. There is riveting freshness to this offering, which tips the scales at a lofty (for this estate) 13.5% alcohol, as well as an alluring sweetness and accessibility. It probably will tighten up over the next few years. Nevertheless, it is a profound Chateau Margaux that brings to mind a hypothetical blend of the 1982 and 1990. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2035.- Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
A stunning, voluptuous nose: decadent, exotic and ravishing yet still with definition and a sense of elegance. A touch of dates and vanillin developing in the glass. The palate is symmetrical, opulent, so pure and quite feminine. The acidity is so vibrant, cutting a swathe though the richness of fruit. Certainly one of the best 2003 wines but it will need time. Drink 2015-2030. Tasted January 2007.-Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate
This is a wonderful surprise. Showing an amazing nose of dried raspberries, strawberries, and flowers. On the palate this wine is full bodied, with pretty framed fruit and silky tannins. This wine is deep and wonderful, with scores of complexity... fascinating stuff. This is drinking like an old classic right now, but could still use five years in the bottle. Dont pull the cork until at least 2015 to see its true glory. James Suckling
Full, saturated red-ruby. Knockout nose combines redcurrant, tropical chocolate, leather, woodsmoke and nutty oak with exotic chocolate mint and coffee liqueur; still manages to retain floral lift even in this beastly vintage. Then wonderfully fat, sweet and full, even if it comes across as almost heavy following the ineffable 2005 and 2004 examples. But relatively inelegant for Margaux still suggests a degree of refinement that few chateaux can match in the greatest vintages. A hugely rich and dense wine that finishes with elevated but ripe tannins and great length, with a subtle suggestion of dry spices. Pontallier says the terroir will take over in 20 years, like with the '82. Splendid. Stephen Tanzer, Vinous Media
This shows the heat of the vintage, revealing a hint of torrefaction amid the coffee, tobacco, currant and blackberry aromas, and a decidedly singed plum skin edge along the core of blackberry and black currant flavors. The tannins are fine-grained, the acidity evident and the finish long and beguiling. Great terroirs always let the vintage speak while being able to handle extremes: This is exhibit A.Non-blind Chteau Margaux vertical (December 2013). Drink now through 2035. 10,830 cases made. James Molesworth, Wine Spectator
At a beautiful moment to drink, spicy, light, ethereal, red cherry, cigar box, blond tobacco, clear spice as it opens and more tannins that perhaps I expected in a 2003 as it approaches its 20 year mark. I have been surprised by a number of classified Médoc 2003s in recent months, and yet again here we see that the position along the river Garonne, with its cooling breezes, was a lucky spot to be in during the punishing summer. One of the wines of the vintage, still delivering. Paul Pontallier director.-Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Dark and lively crimson. Pretty classy nose – quite fresh. Really lovely balance on the palate. This wine manages to have sufficient fruit concentration and the tannins, amazingly, seem ripe – the first such instance in this tasting. BUT it tastes as though it could happily be drunk already which is pretty unusual for a first growth. Neat and pleasing finish.-Jancis Robinson
