2003 Bordeaux: Vintage Wines Ltd, Monthly Thursday Tasting

2003 Bordeaux
April 20th, 2006 6:30pm.

Fourth Third Thursday Tasting for 2006 at Vintage Wines of San Diego.
Described as “You have read all the hype and seen all the scores now come and try them for yourself!”

These tastings are conducted using a single blind format with the wines poured several hours before. My tasting notes are in the order the wines were served.

1) 2000 Chateau Tertre Daugay (St Emilion) $29.99USD
Dense cherry red with red edge. Concentrated, with earth, dusty, smoky notes backup by aromas of dark fruits. Medium weight with mouth griping astringency and evident acidity that fades on the mid-palate. Needs years to come together. 2, 2, 4.3, 9.6 = 17.9/20, 89/100, 13% alcohol. (WS91, RP86).

2) 2003 Chateau Brane Cantenac (Margaux) $45.99USD
Cherry red with red edge; perhaps just the faintest tinge of brown on the edge. More aromatic than the first wine with violets, anise and damp earth notes. Medium weight with the flavors carrying well onto the palate. The firm astringency is balanced well by mouth watering acidity that supports the finish. Well structured and attractive. 2, 2, 4.4, 10.1 = 18.3/20, 92/100, 13% alcohol. (RP90-93).

3) 2003 Sociando Mallet (Haut Medoc) $41.99USD
Dense, dark cherry red with red edge. Almost closed, some ripe banana, cassis and violets. Fuller bodied with big, drying tannins and excellent presence of flavors on the palate. A well structured impressive wine. 2, 2, 3.9, 10.2 = 18.1/20, 91/100. 13% alcohol. (RP92-94).

4) 2003 Chateau Lynch Bages (Pauillac) $56.99USD
Cherry red with red edge; faint orange tinge to the edge. Faint barnyard (almost urine!) over vanilla and smoky notes. Softer, with acidity more evident earlier on the palate, fading on the finish. Not my style, and not of the quality of the 2000. 2, 2, 3.9, 9.8 = 17.7/20, 89/100. 13% alcohol. (RP89, WS92).

5) 2003 Chateau Quinault L’Eclos (St Emilion) $39.99USD
Cherry red with red edge. Faintest hint of EA. Fades to faint barnyard, earthy, dusty oak geranium, and bacon fat. Full bodied with great structure and balance; the firm tannins being backed up by vibrant acidity. Palate lacks depth of flavor. 2, 2, 3.8, 9.5 = 17.2/20, 86/100. 13.5% alcohol. (RP89-92).

6) 2003 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte (Pessac Leognan) $89.99USD
Cherry red with the faintest orange tinge to the edge. Rich and ripe with smoky and dusty notes over a suggestion of ripe banana. Full bodied with very firm tannins and excellent carry of flavors onto the palate. Nicely structured. 2, 2, 3.9, 10.2 = 18.1/20, 91/100. 13% alcohol. (RP90-93).

7) 2003 Chateau Monbousquet (St Emilion) $53.99USD
Cherry red with red edge. Excellent concentration of flavors. Cassis, leather, anise, all beautifully integrated. Great mouthfeel, with very fine tannins and outstanding presence of flavors on the palate, excellent structure and outstanding length. A beautiful wine. 2, 2, 4.6, 10.6, =19.2/20, 96/100. 13% alcohol. (RP91-94).

8) 2003 Chateau Calon Segur (St Estephe) $79.99USD
Cherry red with red edge. A little confected; smoky over cola. Attractive enough. Medium weight with pronounced astringency and sharp acidity; not in balance. Will need time to integrate. 2, 2, 4.0, 9.4 = 17.4, 87/100. 13% alcohol. (RP 94-96).

9) 2003 Suduiraut (Sauternes) $41.99USD
Honey yellow with clear edge. Botrytris, honeysuckle, and dried fruits. Full bodied, round and soft on the palate with sweetness carrying to the crisp, clean finish. Excellent carry of flavors on the palate and impressive length. 2, 2, 4.3, 10.2 = 18.5/20, 93/100. 14% alcohol. (RP92-95).