Our review of the 2003 vintage

Are you looking for a 2003 wine for a tasting, to celebrate a birthday or to build up your old wine cellar? Discover our full review of the 2003 vintage in France’s most important wine-growing regions.

Bordeaux 2003, an excellent vintage

In Bordeaux, it was a very good vintage despite extremely hot weather conditions. A few rains in September brought some relief to the vineyards. The 2003 Bordeaux wines are good and well-balanced, and should age well.

The best Bordeaux appellations of this vintage are Pauillac, Saint Estèphe and Pessac Léognan. Indeed, Château Margaux, Château Figeac, Château Ausone and Château Angelus produced an exceptional vintage despite the difficulties encountered.

It’s worth noting that this vintage was the subject of much controversy. Indeed, Château Pavie 2003 provoked a conflict between Jancis Robinson and Robert Parker, two famous wine critics. Robinson described the wine as “ridiculous“, “unappetizing” and “overripe“, which Parker was quick to refute.

In Sauternes, the vintage was exceptional. This particularly warm year enabled us to harvest grapes intensely concentrated in sugar. In addition, the September rains facilitated the development of botrytis cinerea, which is essential for the production of Sauternes. The wines are richer than at any time since the 1989 and 1990 vintages.

Burgundy 2003, a remarkable vintage but low quantity

As for Burgundy, the 2003 wines were just as successful, despite the summer’s extreme weather conditions. The harvest was delayed and considerably reduced, resulting in low-acid grapes. Fortunately, the talented producers were able to work carefully to produce great wines.

The best estates produce excellent, fruity wines, but quantities are very limited due to the low harvest. We therefore recommend the rich, opulent red wines. On the white side, the wines have less cellaring capacity, due to the lack of acidity in some cases.

Rhône Valley 2003 : a vintage of excellent quality

In the Rhône Valley, the 2003 vintage was of excellent quality, as the scorching temperatures allowed the budburst to catch up.

Rhône wines are very rich, structured and opulent. This year, the top appellations are Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cornas and Hermitage, which offer great wines.

Our favorites of the 2003 vintage

CHÂTEAU LAFLEUR 2003

Rated 97/100 by Jean-Marc Quarin

« Dark color. Normal intensity. Slight evolution. Very ripe fruity nose, but also fresh and fine. Subtly vanilla-flavored, it evolves complexly in the glass. Very fine, full-bodied entry on the palate, and the wine immediately caresses. Juicy, complex and tasty on the mid-palate, it evolves fat, airy and finishes on a very distinguished texture. A long, sappy finish. »

Tasting November 2013

See Château Lafleur 2003 in our cellar

GUIGAL La Landonne 2003

Rated 100/100 by Robert Parker

« The 2003 Cote Rôtie La Landonne continues to surprise me every time I taste it, and for me it’s a dream wine. One of the stars of this extreme vintage, it offers sensational levels of fruit and decadence, perfumed and intense aromas, beautiful freshness and a breathtaking texture and finish. Still young, with masses of soft tannins, it’s still a heavenly drink today. »

Tasting September 2015

See Guigal La Landonne 2003 in our cellar

MOMMESSIN Clos de Tart 2003

Rated 95/100 by Wine Spectator

« Smoky aromas, with pure, concentrated blackberry and spice notes, mark this exotic, seductive red. Silky and complex, it caresses the palate. It needs a little time to absorb the oak, but has great potential. »

Tasting May 2006

See Mommessin Clos de Tart 2003 in our cellar

Are you looking for a 2003 wine for a tasting, to celebrate a birthday or to build up your cellar of old wines?