Vinous (91+)

Very dark red. Brooding, slightly reduced aromas of black raspberry, menthol, mint, licorice and leather, plus a distinct impression of liqueur-like dried fruits. Thick, tactile and dry; this very powerful Volnay shows as much soil as fruit today. Strong tannins saturate the sides of the mouth and tongue, mostly neutralizing the wine's sweetness. A large-scaled and extreme style but boasts good freshness. This big boy still needs more time in bottle to soften. I suspect that it will go on for another couple of decades. In response to the extreme heat that summer and the very early harvest at the end of August, Renaud de Villette carried out a shorter-then-normal cuvaison, followed by a relatively short élevage with less new oak than usual. (13.65% alcohol; August 26 harvest; 28 h/h; 3.53 pH)

Wine Advocate (87)

Displaying oak notes as well as sweet fruit, this medium-bodied 2003 is best drunk over the next 5-7 years.

Vinous (88-91)

(this cuvee had been racked a week prior to my visit) Deep ruby-red. Complex aromas of blackberry, minerals, cracked pepper, roasted herbs, spices, tar and bitter chocolate. Superripe yet cool, with exotic berry and menthol flavors that are currently a bit disassociated. Comes across as quite structured, but I suspect it has been hardened by the recent sulfuring. But this boasts very good flavor intensity, firm tannins and excellent length.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

A prodigious beast of a wine that's now starting to shed just a touch of its considerable baby fat, the 2003 Château Montrose is based on 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. It shows the richness of the vintage with its ripe, opulent core of fruit, yet it freshens up noticeably with time in the glass, offering currants, mulberries, smoked tobacco, minty herbs, and licorice. Full-bodied, deep, and powerful on the palate, it still has classic Bordeaux focus and structure. It's drinking brilliantly today with a decant and has another 20-30 years of prime drinking.

Wine Spectator (100)

Complex aromas of blackberries, citrus and tobacco. Currants. Subtle nose yet complex. You have to look under the surface. Full-bodied, with a big core of ripe fruit and superripe tannins. Thick and powerful. Chewy. Tannins come out of hiding and lash out on the finish. Score range: 95-100

Wine Advocate (95)

This gorgeous, fully mature, complex Pape Clement exhibits notes of smoky tobacco, earth, loamy soil, forest floor, black cherries, plums and cassis. Medium to full-bodied, fresh and lively, the acids have fallen away and the tannins have melted into an opulent, fleshy, classic Bordeaux. Consume it over the next 10-15 years. Bravo!

Vinous (91+)

Deep ruby. Very ripe and warm on the nose, but not pruney or over the top. A big, round wine with lush dark berry and cherry compote flavors and a serious, chewy texture. A bit youthfully inexpressive today but the power and concentration of the material are obvious. Notes of espresso and candied licorice emerged with aeration. Frederic Jaboulet noted that production was down from a normal 20,000 cases to 7,000.

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Superripe and almost jammy. Very New World on the nose but impressive; Bordeaux-like on the palate. Berries, raspberries and strawberries. Hint of wood. Full-bodied, with ripe and round tannins and a long finish. Chewy. Got to like this. Score range: 95-100

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Superripe and almost jammy. Very New World on the nose but impressive; Bordeaux-like on the palate. Berries, raspberries and strawberries. Hint of wood. Full-bodied, with ripe and round tannins and a long finish. Chewy. Got to like this. Score range: 95-100

Delight your palate with the exquisite Perdrix Vosne-Romanee 2003, a paramount expression of the world-renowned Burgundy region. Whether an enophile or neophyte, the intricacies of this Pinot Noir will arrest your senses. The masterful craftsmanship of Perdrix brings out a smooth, full-bodied taste, nylon marked notes of ripe red fruits and an alluring earthy musk, elegantly embodying the terroir of its Vosne-Romanee origin.

Hailing from the vibrant soils of the Côte de Nuits, the 2003 vintage shines through, bearing testimony to the winemaker’s deftness and dedication. Aged to perfection in oak barrels, this wine's character has evolved over time, showcasing the rich complexities inherent to this stunning vineyard.

Invest in the Perdrix Vosne-Romanee 2003 for an unrivalled tasting experience, authentic to its deep-rooted Burgundy heritage. A sublime reflection of its illustrious lineage, it is indeed a testament to the artistry of the revered domain of Perdrix.

Wine Spectator (98)

Extraordinary nose of berry, chocolate and flowers. Amazing, jaw-dropping quality. Full-bodied, with supersilky, seductive tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. Out of this world. Best after 2014. 2,000 cases made.

Wine Spectator (98)

Extraordinary nose of berry, chocolate and flowers. Amazing, jaw-dropping quality. Full-bodied, with supersilky, seductive tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. Out of this world. Best after 2014. 2,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate (98)

The limited cuvee 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Deux Freres, which is aged 40% in tank and 60% in one-, two-, and three-year-old barrels as well as large demi-muids, is essentially the same as Mon Aieul, but additional press wine is added. This beefs the wine up to an even more extraordinarily concentrated character. This is another of the Chateauneuf du Papes of the vintage, a wine of remarkable length and prodigious levels of richness. It is no wimpy wine at 16.5% alcohol, but you would never know that from tasting it. Dense purple to the rim, with a huge nose of scorched earth, blackberry and blueberry liqueur, creme de cassis, roasted meat juices, and a hint of Provencal herbs interwoven with licorice and a touch of balsamic, it is voluptuously textured, with striking body, low acidity, and amazing concentration. This fabulous bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape should drink well for 20+ years.

James Suckling (93)

Complex aromas of blueberry, raspberry, and coffee follow through to a full body with soft and velvety tannins and a long juicy finish. So yummy right now, but give it another three to five years. Find the wine

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2003 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape has gone from strength to strength and now looks to be the finest vintage since the monumental 1995. Deep ruby to the rim with that classic Rayas nose of flowers, kirsch liqueur, black raspberries, crushed rocks, and minerals, the wine is dense and concentrated, with a broad, savory mouthfeel, sweet yet silky tannin, fabulous persistence, and a blockbuster finish that just goes on and on. This is a reassuringly profound Rayas that seems to suggest that Emmanuel Reynaud has finally figured out this cold-climate terroir in a warm climate appellation. This wine should be given 3-4 years of bottle age, and drunk over the following 20+ years.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2003 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape has gone from strength to strength and now looks to be the finest vintage since the monumental 1995. Deep ruby to the rim with that classic Rayas nose of flowers, kirsch liqueur, black raspberries, crushed rocks, and minerals, the wine is dense and concentrated, with a broad, savory mouthfeel, sweet yet silky tannin, fabulous persistence, and a blockbuster finish that just goes on and on. This is a reassuringly profound Rayas that seems to suggest that Emmanuel Reynaud has finally figured out this cold-climate terroir in a warm climate appellation. This wine should be given 3-4 years of bottle age, and drunk over the following 20+ years.

Introducing the exceptional Remizieres Hermitage L'Essentiel 2003, a distinct reserve originating from the illustrious Hermitage vineyards of France's renowned Rhône Valley. This exclusive wine is an exceptional legacy of Domaine des Remizières, a family-run winery with three generations of savoir-faire in viticulture. Lovingly nurtured by Philippe Desmeure, its bouquet offers profound aromatic depth.

The Remizieres Hermitage L'Essentiel 2003 boasts elegant, tawny hues hinting at its longevity. The wine's full-bodied palate is cloaked in rich, earthy undertones, fused with whiffs of blackcurrant and truffle, revealing its Syrah grape lineage. Aged for 24 months in new oak barrels, the wine is characterized by precise tannic structure and long-lasting finish. Sip and savor this, and experience the soul of the Rhône.

As a testament to the winery's commitment to sustainable farming, this 2003 option presents a disciplined, yet spontaneous reflection of the exceptional terroir. The Remizieres Hermitage L'Essentiel 2003 truly embodies the essence of exquisite, French viticulture.

Wine Advocate (90-93)

A new acquisition, the inky/purple-tinged 2003 St.-Joseph exhibits tremendous flavor intensity, loads of body, amazing glycerin, and high alcohol. It should drink well for 10-12 years.

Burghound (90-93)

The quality here is far superior to the preceding wines as this is aromatically rich, intense and utterly classy with robust yet remarkably fine and refined flavors that combine power, weight and depth in a ripe but elegant package. Lovely stuff and this is really most impressive.

Experience the remarkable complexity of Rolet Arbois Trousseau 2003. Expertly crafted in Arbois, the original home of Trousseau grapes, this exceptional vintage presents a potent combination of ripe red fruits, earthy undernotes, and bold, structured tannins. Produced by Domaine Rolet Père et Fils, a family-owned winemakers trailblazing continental Jura since 1942, this wine reflects their philosophies of sustainability and respect for terroir.

Rolet Arbois Trousseau 2003 is nurtured in hand-selected, French oak barrels for nearly four years, allowing delicate oaky flavours to perfectly complement its red-fruit core. This expert ageing process accentuates the wine's longevity on the palate, creating an unforgettable finish. With soil rich in grey and blue marl, the climate is marked by icy winters and warm, abundant summers, giving this Trousseau grape its distinctive taste. A true ambassador of Jura region, Rolet Arbois Trousseau 2003 elevates any occasion with its unique character and impeccable pedigree.

Wine Spectator (94)

Wonderful blackberry and violet character with intense aromas. Full-bodied, with big, silky tannins and a long, long finish. Super. Could be classic in quality. Could be better than 2000. Score range: 92-94

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Beautiful aromas of milk chocolate and berries with hints of raspberry tart. Full-bodied, with wonderful length and a beautiful finish. This should be better than the 2000. And it could equal the superlative 1998. Easier than the Pétrus to taste just now, and flashier. Score range: 95-100

Wine Advocate (90)

Performing better than I remember en premieur, the still vigorous, intact 2003 Trottevieille exhibits a dark plum/garnet color in addition to notes of cedarwood, spice box, red and black currants, licorice and graphite. Deep, fresh and well-delineated, it should drink nicely for 5-8 years.