Chateau Angelots de Gracia 2003
St. Emilion, Bordeaux
This is the 2nd Wine from Chateau Gracia
St. Emilion, Bordeaux Kudos to proprietor Hubert Bouard, who has been making brilliant wines at this estate since the mid- to late-1980s. A blend of 58% Cabernet Franc and 42% Merlot, the beautiful 2003 (14% alcohol; 6,500 cases produced) is somewhat tightly knit, but it reveals a perfumed nose of rose...
Chateau Angelus 2003 Bordeaux 375ml
St. Emilion, Bordeaux Kudos to proprietor Hubert Bouard, who has been making brilliant wines at this estate since the mid- to late-1980s. A blend of 58% Cabernet Franc and 42% Merlot, the beautiful 2003 (14% alcohol; 6,500 cases produced) is somewhat tightly knit, but it reveals a perfumed nose of rose...
Chateau Armens 2000 - Bordeaux
St Emilion, Bordeaux The structured, muscular, backward 2000 offers notes of minerals, red cherries, earth, and wood. Medium-bodied and well-concentrated, it will be very good to excellent. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2016. - Rated 88, Robert Parker Very good. Lovely violet and currant character. Full- to medium-bodied, with velvety tannins and a caressing finish. –JS - Rated 89-91, Wine Spectator
Chateau Beausejour Becot 2000 Bordeaux
Saint Emilion Bordeaux This the greatest Beau Sejour-Becot I have ever tasted. The opaque purple 2000 has put on weight during its elevage and, from the bottle, appears to be spectacular. The wood is well-integrated, and the fruit, glycerin, and overall flavor dimensions are noteworthy. The bouquet smells of ink, espresso, jammy blackberries and currants, wet stones, and licorice. Super-pure and fabulously extracted, with high tannin, full body, a thick texture, and awesome richness and length, this blockbuster effort will be at its finest between 2008-2025. - Rated 93, Robert Parker Slightly herbal, with berry and tobacco character. Full-bodied, chewy and rich, with a velvety and medium fruity finish. Very extracted. A bit too much for me, but very good. Best after 2007. –JS - Rated 89, Wine Spectator
Chateau Beausejour Becot 2003 Bordeaux
Saint Emilion Bordeaux From a 41-acre vineyard situated on St.-Emilion’s limestone plateau, Beau-Sejour-Becot’s blend can vary, but it is approximately 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Production can be as low as 4,000+ cases (in a tiny vintage such as 2003), or as high as 7,000+ cases (in an abundant year such as 2004). The 2003, which reminds me of a 1990 Right Bank Bordeaux, tips the scales at 13.5% alcohol. Its dark plum/ruby/purple color is followed by a sweet nose of creosote, scorched earth, black cherries, currants, and pain grille. Deep, full-flavored, muscular, textured, and rich with light to moderate tannin in the finish, this lavishly rich, full-bodied effort requires 1-3 years of bottle age, and should drink well over the following 12-15. - Rated 93, Robert Parker Opulent aromas of ripe fruit, toasted oak and grilled meat. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and loads of fruit and lightly toasted oak. Very long and delicious. Balanced wine. Best after 2010. 4,665 cases made. –JS - Rated 90, Wine Spectator
Chateau Bellevue Mondotte 2003 Bordeaux
St. Emilion, Bordeaux An exquisite jewel in Chantal and Gerard Perse’s Right Bank empire, Bellevue-Mondotte is a tiny, 5-acre parcel of 45-year-old vines planted on the limestone plateau above Pavie-Decesse and Pavie-Macquin. It is composed of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. I tasted the 2003 on three separate occasions, one of which merited a three-digit rating. Sadly, there are only 4,000 bottles of this prodigious effort. Possessing relatively high alcohol (14.5%) for a Bordeaux, it is an amazing blend made from 15 hectoliters per hectare. A dense, viscous-looking purple color is accompanied by a sweet perfume of blackberries, espresso roast, fried lard, and pain grille. Full-bodied and massively rich with decent acidity and plenty of structure as well as tannin, this youthful 2003 should hit its stride in 3-5 years, and last for three decades. This may be what the great 1929s or 1947s tasted like at age three. - Rated 90, Robert Parker Beautiful aromas of blackberry, coffee and cherry follow through to a full-bodied palate, with soft, round tannins and a long, rich finish. Supersilky. Best after 2007. –JS - Rated 92, Wine Spectator
Chateau Cadet Piola 2000 - Bordeaux
Bordeaux St. Emilion Excellent currant, earthy, herb-tinged leather and black cherry fruit emerge from this medium-bodied, fleshy, yet somewhat rustic effort. Possessing sweeter tannin than generally found in Cadet-Piola, it should drink well for a decade. - Rated 86, Robert Parker Subtle aromas of ripe fruit and Indian spices follow through to a full-bodied palate, yet reserved, with well-integrated tannins. Racy red. Best after 2008. 2,415 cases made. –JS - Rated 90, Wine Spectator
Chateau Cadet Piola 2003 - Bordeaux
St. Emilions, Bordeaux This estate typically produces muscular, tannic St.-Emilions, but recent vintages have revealed more charm and texture. The 2003 is hard as a rock, but it reveals good weight and ripeness as well as plenty of earthy, black cherry, and spice characteristics. This austere, muscular Cadet-Piola lacks charm and suppleness, but makes up for those defects with a dense, concentrated, structured style. - Rated 88, Robert Parker Blackberry and plum character follows through to a medium-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a light finish. Delicate wine. Best after 2008. 1,500 cases made. –JS Rated 87, Wine Spectator
St. Emilion, Bordeaux A typically charming and approachable for Canon, the 2003 exhibits a deep plum/ruby color as well as a sweet bouquet of black cherries, ripe currants, and a hint of figs. With lush fruit on the attack, medium body, light to moderate tannin, and excellent texture, concentration, and purity, it should be at its finest between 2007-2018. - Rated 89, Robert Parker Aromas of blackberry and lightly toasted oak with just an undertone of vanilla. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a lovely, silky texture. Best after 2010. 3,665 cases made. –JS - Rated 91, Wine Spectator
Chateau Chauvin 2003 - Bordeaux
St Emilion, Bordeaux Aromas of dried herbs, chocolate, black cherry jam, earth, and spice emerge from this fleshy, ripe, medium to full-bodied, dark plum/ruby-hued 2003. It will provide lovely drinking now and over the next decade. - Rated 89, Robert Parker Pleasant blackberry and licorice character with medium body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Nice mouthfeel, if a bit hollow. Almost 89-91. –JS - Rated 85-88, Wine Spectator
Chateau Cheval Blanc 2003 Bordeaux
St. Emilion, Bordeaux The 2003 Cheval Blanc, a tiny production of 5,000 cases, was bottled early to protect its delicate style. It is a light to medium-bodied, superficial, but seductive effort offering notes of cherries, herbs, smoke, and new oak. It possesses moderate depth as well as exceptional elegance and finesse....
Chateau Cheval Blanc 2003 Bordeaux 1.5L
St. Emilion, Bordeaux The 2003 Cheval Blanc, a tiny production of 5,000 cases, was bottled early to protect its delicate style. It is a light to medium-bodied, superficial, but seductive effort offering notes of cherries, herbs, smoke, and new oak. It possesses moderate depth as well as exceptional elegance and finesse....
Chateau Clos De Prince 2000 - Bordeaux
St. Emilion, Bordeaux A so-called garage wine from St.-Emilion, this debut vintage (700 cases from a 4-acre vineyard planted with 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc) offers elegance and finesse in addition to loads of fruit, glycerin, and toasty wood. This big fruit bomb should become more defined with aging. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2016. - Rated 88-90, Robert Parker
Chateau Clos Fourtet 2000 Bordeaux
St Emilion, Bordeaux This is a substantial, large-sized wine for Clos Fourtet. A saturated dark plum/purple color characterizes this full-bodied effort. This impressive, dense wine displays plenty of power as well as notes of charcoal, blackberry jam, licorice, and toasty new oak. With good size, firm tannin, outstanding ripeness, and overall richness, this exceptional offering is the finest Clos Fourtet produced in many years. It will also be long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022. - Rated 90, Robert Parker Starts off a bit earthy, but then turns to lovely ripe, almost decadent fruit. Full-bodied, with soft and round tannins and a long, refreshing finish. A beauty. This is really good for Clos Fourtet. Best after 2006. 4,580 cases made. –JS - Rated 92, Wine Spectator
Chateau Clos L'Oratoire 2000 - Bordeaux
St Emilion, Bordeaux This is one of St-Emilion's foothill (pieds de cotes) vineyards planted with 90% Merlot and equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The vinification is classic Stephan von Neipperg and Stephane Derenoncourt. Undoubtedly the finest effort this property has yet produced, the black-colored 2000 offers up sexy notes...
Chateau Dassault 2000 - Bordeaux
St Emilion, Bordeaux This is a fruity, consumer-friendly St.-Emilion meant to be drunk during its first decade of life. The sexy, low acid 2000 reveals ripe black cherry fruit intermixed with notes of Provencal herbs, spice box, and new oak. It is round, expansive, fleshy, and cleanly made, with more tannin and persistence on the palate than previous vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2014. - Rated 88, Robert Parker Not big, but it's got length. Attractive aromas of crushed berries and vanilla follow through to a medium-bodied palate, with superfine tannins and a long, bright and fruity aftertaste. Best after 2006. 5,830 cases made. –JS - Rated 90, Wine Spectator
Chateau Destieux 2000 - Bordeaux
St Emilion, Bordeaux Along with the 2001, the 2000 Destieux is one of the finest efforts I have tasted from this property. Its inky purple color is followed by copious quantities of underbrush, truffle, blackberry and cassis characteristics along with high tannin, a sweet mid-palate, and more depth in the mid-section than exhibited in past vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018. It is a sleeper of the vintage. - Rated 89, Robert Parker A firm, slightly lean 2000, with berry and tobacco character, medium body and a fresh finish. –JS - Rated 85-88 Wine Spectator
Chateau Fleur Cardinal 2003 Bordeaux
St. Emilion, Bordeaux As suggested in previous reports, Fleur-Cardinale has become a seriously run estate under the new owners, Dominique and Florence Decoster. The vineyard consists of 45 acres planted (in rich clay/limestone soils) with 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Cabernet Franc. The winemaking team represents a partnership between...
Chateau Fombrauge 2003 Bordeaux
St. Emilion, Bordeaux The largest vineyard of St.-Emilion, acquired by Bordeaux visionary Bernard Magrez nearly a decade ago, the wines of Fombrauge have soared in quality. A special five-acre parcel is segregated for their luxury cuvee, Magrez-Fombrauge. Fombrauge tends to be a blend of approximately 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. With notes of white chocolate, figs, plums, and black cherry liqueur, the heady, fleshy, seductive, medium to full-bodied 2003 should be enjoyed over the next 6-8 years.” – Rated 89, Robert Parker
“Lots of blackberry, earth and roasted fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, with very soft tannins and a long chocolate, berry and vanilla aftertaste. Yummy. Seductive. Best after 2006. 10,915 cases made. -JS” – Rated 90, Wine Spectator
Formats Offered 375ml, 750ml, 1.5L
Chateau Gachon 2003 - Bordeaux
Gradual hillsides of gravel and clay in this satellite of northern Saint-Emilion are the home of Monsieur Gerard Arpin and his delightful red wines. Made from 70% Merlot and equal parts of both Cabernets the wine is a deep ruby with purple hues and has a soft nose of cherry, cassis,...
Chateau Gachon 2003 Bordeaux 1.5L
Gradual hillsides of gravel and clay in this satellite of northern Saint-Emilion are the home of Monsieur Gerard Arpin and his delightful red wines. Made from 70% Merlot and equal parts of both Cabernets the wine is a deep ruby with purple hues and has a soft nose of cherry, cassis,...
St. Emilion, Bordeaux A true garagiste estate, hand-made wines are fashioned from this 4.5-acre vineyard (planted with 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon). The first bottle of 2003 I tasted was corked, but the second one was healthy. It revealed a dense purple color along with a muscular personality, impressive concentration, power, and depth, and an elevated level of gritty, astringent tannin. The latter component is cause for concern. If the tannin falls away and the fruit holds, this may turn out to be a brilliant wine, but given the way it is showing at present, that is a risky proposition. - Rated 90, Robert Parker
Chateau L'Arrosee 2000 - Bordeaux
St Emilion, Bordeaux The deep ruby/purple-colored 2000 is revealing more of a mid-palate and depth than previously. Sweet vanilla and black cherry jam aromas are followed by a wine of outstanding purity, attractive texture, moderate tannin, and a distinctive, traditional St.-Emilion style. There are also hints of mint and underbrush in this medium-bodied, elegantly-wrought wine. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018. - Rated 89, Robert Parker Powerful and decadent young red. Lots of smoky, berry and cherry character. Full-bodied and very chewy, with loads of fruit. This always impresses me, with its rich and decadent character. Best after 2009. 3,330 cases made. –JS - Rated 92, Wine Spectator
