Wine Spectator (94)

Supple, ripe and generous with its blueberry, plum and mocha flavors, riding easily over finely wrought tannins and extending into the long, expressive finish. Rich, complex and evocative, this has plenty of flavor packed into a beautifully balanced package. Drink now through 2020. 680 cases imported. — HS

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

Vinous (88-91)

Exotic liqueur-like nose; in a slightly oxidative phase today. Dense and plump, with a captivating honeysuckle flavor. Shows good depth and power, not to mention length, but finishes with a trace of alcoholic bitterness. Still, Noel and I agreed that this, like the Ruchottes, is more typical for its site than most of his other 2003s. (Ramonet's Bienvenue-Batard-Montrachet showed a more exaggerated nut skin character and was impossible to assess with confidence, while the impressively fat Le Montrachet was rather heavy as well as a bit tired. I will report on these wines next year after they're in bottle. ).

Vinous (90)

Pale yellow. Pure aromas of lemon, spices and stone. Supple, round and silky, with very ripe but bright flavors of apple, pear and citrus fruits. Impressively fat, rich and seamless premier cru with excellent length. This was bottled the day before I tasted it but was not yet showing any evidence of shock.

Vinous (90+)

More exotic aromas of grapefruit and lime oil. Fat and round in the mouth but distinctly closed today; comes across as less filled in than the Clos, and drier in style. This was a knockout from barrel a year ago, but today I find more texture than terroirBut then this was bottled on the morning of my visit.

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.

Wine Advocate (89)

I've had better bottles, but as it approaches its 15th birthday, the 2003 Monte Bello is beginning to look like one of the weaker vintages of the new millennium—and certainly of this tasting—exhibiting rich and already evolved aromas of roasted dark fruit that include hints of fig and prune, as well as classic nuances of cigar wrapper and espresso roast. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied and still structured around rich tannins, balanced by bright acids, but it's showing more evolution than the 2002 or the 2004 vintages that bookend it. Baugher believes that he may have picked prematurely in this vintage, suggesting that phenolics were out of sync with sugars. The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot, and it attained 13.2% natural alcohol.

Vinous (93)

The 2003 Barbera Pozzo, from a tiny vineyard nestled between the snaking roads of La Morra's Annunziata district, is now fully mature. Ripe black cherries, plums, licorice, menthol and spices resonate on the racy, opulent finish. Barbera loves heat, and it got plenty of that in 2003.

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 Advocate (98)

The 2003 Essencia has a fabulous bouquet with profound scents of lemon curd, frangipane, apple crumble, dandelion, wild mushroom and a slight adhesive note. The palate is extraordinarily pure with perfect acidity. It is perfectly focused with a crescendo of honey, quince, and Seville orange marmalade with lemon peel. This is out of this world.

2003 was, like in much of Europe, a hot vintage in Hungary, but conditions were still enviable enough to yield a remarkably classic, honey and orange-infused Aszú. Rich, decadent with a notable creaminess to the palate, the finish is fresh and clean, and lingers on for minutes on the palate.

Experience the Schloss Schonborn Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg Riesling Trocken Erstes Gewachs 2003, an iconic German Riesling from the Rheingau region, produced by respected wine producer Schloss Schönborn. Commanding its birthright from vineyards dating back to 1349, this vintage offers a unique representation of trocken (dry) Riesling, notable for its remarkable freshness and firm acidity despite its age. Its matured character presents deep, concentrated flavours of ripe apples, lemon zest, mineral tones, and a subtle hint of honey. Aged optimally in large German Oak barrels, it elaborates on the bold characteristics of Schloss Schönborn's sophisticated viticulture, embodying the gentle slopes and mineral-rich soils of the Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg vineyard.

Gaining well-deserved ratings in renowned wine publications, the Schloss Schonborn Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg Riesling Trocken Erstes Gewachs 2003 is not merely a wine—it's a testament to centuries-old tradition, unrivalled craftsmanship, and meticulous attention to detail, transcending the ordinary to become an unforgettable experience.

Wine Advocate (98)

This 2003 was showing spectacularly well, and based on my recollection, I think I may have liked it even more than the 2002, which is the reverse of how I felt a decade ago. One of the biggest (14.6% alcohol) wines made by Screaming Eagle during this period, it boasts an opaque ruby/purple color as well as classic, pure, creme de cassis, cedarwood and hints of Asian soy sauce and forest floor notes. The multidimensional aromatics are followed by a full-bodied, silky-textured, opulent, rich, atypically big wine that is impeccably well-balanced. It is just starting to come into its own. Four to five more years in the cellar will prove magical, and this 2003 is one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage. It should last another 20+ years.

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 Enthusiast (97)

Inky purple in color, this youngest Taylor vintage Port boasts a floral, wonderfully open and appealing bouquet, backed by layers of rich fruit. What makes this wine extra special is the seductive texture—somewhere between creamy and syrupy—and ample length. Hold.

Vinous (87)

Good fresh red. Perfumed aromas of redcurrant, minerals and flowers, plus a whiff of dill. A juicy, spicy midweight with lively acidity intensifying its rather cool, medicinal flavors of bitter cherry and licorice. Finishes firmly tannic and a tad dry.

Wine Advocate (96)

Primarily Shiraz with a tiny dollop of Viognier, the blockbuster 2003 Descendant spent 18 months in used French oak (barrels that were previously used for Torbreck’s flagship cuvee, Run Rig). A spectacular perfume of flowers, blackberries, cassis, licorice, and honeysuckle is followed by an unctuously textured, full-bodied red displaying a seamless integration of wood, tannin, acidity, and alcohol. With elegance, power, richness, and just about everything one could want in a full-throttle, beautifully balanced dry red wine, it will drink well for 12-15 years.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2003 The Factor (100% Shiraz aged 24 months in old French oak) is a riveting effort that displays the exquisite talent of David Powell. Its smoky perfume of blackberry liqueur intermixed with cherries, acacia flowers, and espresso roast is followed by a full-throttle, multi-layered palate as well as a 60-second finish. This stunning Shiraz should drink well for 10-15+ years.