TN: A 2003 Bordeaux tasting
Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 2:10 am
There seems to me to be a lot of negative comments about this vintage but I see only an occasional tasting note from the vintage to back up the negativity. Also, Neal Martin attended a 2003 tasting and was "disappointed with how they are aging." But it's their 10 year anniversary, so I decided to host a tasting. The order were the 2 Germans, then Right Bank, then Left Bank. Ending with a Sauternes. (How they got in this order in the note is beyond me.)
- 2003 Château Branaire-Ducru - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien (6/2/2013)
Nose filled the glass. Rich, spices, cloves very balanced. Just wanted to smell this for hours. Taste was rich yet medium weight, great finish. Wonderful. One of the tasters had never heard of this 4th growth, but she will seek it out again. (95 pts.) - 2003 Château Monbousquet - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru (6/2/2013)
Deep garnet (all of the 2003s had similar color) Modern nose but still all Bordeaux, rich mouthfeel, youngish side, no tertiary notes yet. When given a Cali summer, I guess you make a Cali wine. This did and did well. (93 pts.) - 2003 Château Rieussec - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes (6/2/2013)
Gold. Nose with a hint of Elmer's glue, Vanilla cream. Taste rich, reminds me of the 1989 in that the sweetness overwhelms to a degree the balancing acidity. But still a lovely finish. (93 pts.) - 2003 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (6/2/2013)
Pale yellow. No sulfer nose here. Floral, perfume nose. Taste is medium rich and medium sweet, smooth, floral, hint of acid on the end. Delish (93 pts.) - 2003 Château Calon-Ségur - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (6/2/2013)
Caramel nose and taste, medium weight. Kinda odd but I kinda liked. My sweet tooth and all. Short finish. (92 pts.) - 2003 Château Pontet-Canet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac (6/2/2013)
Shy nose that opened somewhat with airing. Touch of Elmer's glue, spices. Taste rich, mouthfilling, asian spices. Young. With a plus. (91 pts.) - 2003 St. Urbans-Hof Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (6/2/2013)
Pale yellow. More minerally-some say more sulfery than the JJ Prum tasted at the same time. Some citrus in the nose also. Medium weight mouth, lighter than the Prum, nice finish (91 pts.) - 2003 Château Troplong Mondot - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru (6/2/2013)
Shy nose and mouth. Clearly still in a shell. Tightest of the night. Nothing off just diminutive. Give it time. Add a plus to the score. (90 pts.) - 2003 Château Pavie Macquin - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru (6/2/2013)
Overripe nose, never fully blew off. Taste was also hints of plums, overripe fruit. I'm not sure if this was an off bottle or representative, but if the latter, a miss in this vintage. Note-others at the tasting liked better than I and I usually like P-M under Derenoncourt, but not this time (88 pts.)