Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9 natural alcohol - hardly an astonishing figure given the vintage's weather conditions. A combination of 86 Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 Merlot, 3 Cabernet Franc, and 2 Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity. Whether this wine will close down or not is questionable as it is somewhat atypical given its sweetness and softness. Analytically, there are extremely high tannins, which I suspect will assert themselves in the future. Production in 2003 was less than half of normal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Château Latour--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "There are only 10,800 cases (rather than the normal 15,000-20,000) of the 2003 Latour, a blend of 81 Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 Merlot, and 1 Petit Verdot (13.3 finished alcohol). A prodigious effort, it boasts a saturated purple color as well as a gorgeous perfume of smoke, cedar, creme de cassis, flowers, crushed rocks, and blackberries. Massive and multi-layered, with huge richness and low acidity, it is about as unctuous as a young Latour can be. It could be compared to the 1982, but it may be even more pure, at least at this early stage, than that monumental wine. The level of intensity builds prodigiously in the mouth, and the finish lasts nearly a minute. Disarmingly accessible (although analytically the tannin level is high), I suspect it will ultimately shut down, but it was performing impeccably when I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040+. What can one say about proprietor Francois Pinault and his manager, Frederic Engerer? A strong argument can be made that in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, Latour produced the wine of the vintage, although it has plenty of competition in the Northern Medoc in 2003. Moreover, the bargains are the estate's least expensive cuvee, Pauillac, followed by Les Forts de Latour, Latour's second wine which continues to increase in quality." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Château Mouton-Rothschild--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "Backward, powerful, and extremely tannic, the dense purple-colored 2003 Mouton-Rothschild, a blend of 76 Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 Merlot, 8 Cabernet Franc, and 2 Petit Verdot, fashioned from yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, with a finished alcohol of 12.9 improves dramatically with aeration. With full-bodied, meaty, powerful, dry flavors as well as a huge finish, this high class wine should be at its finest between 2012-2040+. During its sojourn in barrel, it reminded me of a hypothetical blend of the 1982 and 1986 Moutons, but since bottling, it appears different, and even more tannic than those two vintages. I still believe the finest recent Mouton-Rothschild is the 2000." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Château Haut Brion--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "The blockbuster 2003 Haut-Brion (13 alcohol) possesses extremely high tannin, but that component is well-concealed by a cascade of mulberry, blackberry, cherry, and plum-like fruit. There is even a hint of figs under the blue and red fruit spectrum. While broad and ripe with a sweet, glyceral mouthfeel as well as a long, powerful, persistent finish, it retains its elegance and nobility. A wine of both power and finesse, it will benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring, and keep for 25-30." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Château Margaux--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "Am I being too stingy with the 2003 Chateau Margaux? A wine of extraordinary complexity and intensity, it reveals a deep purple color, a style not unlike the 1990 Margaux (possibly even more concentrated), a velvety textu
Above 5 imperiales per lot
FIVE IMPERIALS REPRESENTING THE FIRST GROWTH SUCCESS IN 2003 Removed from professional storage for this sale. 2003 VINTAGE IN BORDEAUX The controversy surrounding 2003 has only fueled interest for some of the most flamboyant and opulent wines in recent years. Parker says "I have never seen a year as irregular and fascinating as 2003." Regardless of the critical opinion, we know for sure the year was hot. In fact, it was a summer of the highest temperatures in Bordeaux since records have been kept. As a result, crops were reduced and less wine released to market. The wines proudly display this heat induced ripeness and have become some of the most coveted wines on the market in recent seasons. The best of the 2003's will surely surpass the 2000's and some Bordelais winemakers mark this as the best year in living memory. To drink or to mature, the premier wines of 2003's finest are quickly becoming a requirement for any serious collector. Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9 natural alcohol - hardly an astonishing figure given the vintage's weather conditions. A combination of 86 Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 Merlot, 3 Cabernet Franc, and 2 Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity. Whether this wine will close down or not is questionable as it is somewhat atypical given its sweetness and softness. Analytically, there are extremely high tannins, which I suspect will assert themselves in the future. Production in 2003 was less than half of normal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Château Latour--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "There are only 10,800 cases (rather than the normal 15,000-20,000) of the 2003 Latour, a blend of 81 Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 Merlot, and 1 Petit Verdot (13.3 finished alcohol). A prodigious effort, it boasts a saturated purple color as well as a gorgeous perfume of smoke, cedar, creme de cassis, flowers, crushed rocks, and blackberries. Massive and multi-layered, with huge richness and low acidity, it is about as unctuous as a young Latour can be. It could be compared to the 1982, but it may be even more pure, at least at this early stage, than that monumental wine. The level of intensity builds prodigiously in the mouth, and the finish lasts nearly a minute. Disarmingly accessible (although analytically the tannin level is high), I suspect it will ultimately shut down, but it was performing impeccably when I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040+. What can one say about proprietor Francois Pinault and his manager, Frederic Engerer? A strong argument can be made that in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, Latour produced the wine of the vintage, although it has plenty of competition in the Northern Medoc in 2003. Moreover, the bargains are the estate's least expensive cuvee, Pauillac, followed by Les Forts de Latour, Latour's second wine which continues to increase in quality." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Château Mouton-Rothschild--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "Backward, powerful, and extremely tannic, the dense purple-colored 2003 Mouton-Rothschild, a blend of 76 Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 Merlot, 8 Cabernet Franc, and 2 Petit Verdot, fashioned from yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, with a finished alcohol of 12.9 improves dramatically with aeration. With full-bodied, meaty, powerful, dry flavors as well as a huge finish, this high class wine should be at its finest between 2012-2040+. During its sojourn in barrel, it reminded me of a hypothetical blend of the 1982 and 1986 Moutons, but since bottling, it appears different, and even more tannic than those two vintages. I still
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9 natural alcohol - hardly an astonishing figure given the vintage's weather conditions. A combination of 86 Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 Merlot, 3 Cabernet Franc, and 2 Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity. Whether this wine will close down or not is questionable as it is somewhat atypical given its sweetness and softness. Analytically, there are extremely high tannins, which I suspect will assert themselves in the future. Production in 2003 was less than half of normal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Château Latour--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "There are only 10,800 cases (rather than the normal 15,000-20,000) of the 2003 Latour, a blend of 81 Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 Merlot, and 1 Petit Verdot (13.3 finished alcohol). A prodigious effort, it boasts a saturated purple color as well as a gorgeous perfume of smoke, cedar, creme de cassis, flowers, crushed rocks, and blackberries. Massive and multi-layered, with huge richness and low acidity, it is about as unctuous as a young Latour can be. It could be compared to the 1982, but it may be even more pure, at least at this early stage, than that monumental wine. The level of intensity builds prodigiously in the mouth, and the finish lasts nearly a minute. Disarmingly accessible (although analytically the tannin level is high), I suspect it will ultimately shut down, but it was performing impeccably when I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040+. What can one say about proprietor Francois Pinault and his manager, Frederic Engerer? A strong argument can be made that in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, Latour produced the wine of the vintage, although it has plenty of competition in the Northern Medoc in 2003. Moreover, the bargains are the estate's least expensive cuvee, Pauillac, followed by Les Forts de Latour, Latour's second wine which continues to increase in quality." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Château Mouton-Rothschild--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "Backward, powerful, and extremely tannic, the dense purple-colored 2003 Mouton-Rothschild, a blend of 76 Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 Merlot, 8 Cabernet Franc, and 2 Petit Verdot, fashioned from yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, with a finished alcohol of 12.9 improves dramatically with aeration. With full-bodied, meaty, powerful, dry flavors as well as a huge finish, this high class wine should be at its finest between 2012-2040+. During its sojourn in barrel, it reminded me of a hypothetical blend of the 1982 and 1986 Moutons, but since bottling, it appears different, and even more tannic than those two vintages. I still believe the finest recent Mouton-Rothschild is the 2000." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Château Haut Brion--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "The blockbuster 2003 Haut-Brion (13 alcohol) possesses extremely high tannin, but that component is well-concealed by a cascade of mulberry, blackberry, cherry, and plum-like fruit. There is even a hint of figs under the blue and red fruit spectrum. While broad and ripe with a sweet, glyceral mouthfeel as well as a long, powerful, persistent finish, it retains its elegance and nobility. A wine of both power and finesse, it will benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring, and keep for 25-30." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Château Margaux--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "Am I being too stingy with the 2003 Chateau Margaux? A wine of extraordinary complexity and intensity, it reveals a deep purple color, a style not unlike the 1990 Margaux (possibly even more concentrated), a velvety textu
Above 5 imperiales per lot
FIVE IMPERIALS REPRESENTING THE FIRST GROWTH SUCCESS IN 2003 Removed from professional storage for this sale. 2003 VINTAGE IN BORDEAUX The controversy surrounding 2003 has only fueled interest for some of the most flamboyant and opulent wines in recent years. Parker says "I have never seen a year as irregular and fascinating as 2003." Regardless of the critical opinion, we know for sure the year was hot. In fact, it was a summer of the highest temperatures in Bordeaux since records have been kept. As a result, crops were reduced and less wine released to market. The wines proudly display this heat induced ripeness and have become some of the most coveted wines on the market in recent seasons. The best of the 2003's will surely surpass the 2000's and some Bordelais winemakers mark this as the best year in living memory. To drink or to mature, the premier wines of 2003's finest are quickly becoming a requirement for any serious collector. Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9 natural alcohol - hardly an astonishing figure given the vintage's weather conditions. A combination of 86 Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 Merlot, 3 Cabernet Franc, and 2 Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity. Whether this wine will close down or not is questionable as it is somewhat atypical given its sweetness and softness. Analytically, there are extremely high tannins, which I suspect will assert themselves in the future. Production in 2003 was less than half of normal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Château Latour--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "There are only 10,800 cases (rather than the normal 15,000-20,000) of the 2003 Latour, a blend of 81 Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 Merlot, and 1 Petit Verdot (13.3 finished alcohol). A prodigious effort, it boasts a saturated purple color as well as a gorgeous perfume of smoke, cedar, creme de cassis, flowers, crushed rocks, and blackberries. Massive and multi-layered, with huge richness and low acidity, it is about as unctuous as a young Latour can be. It could be compared to the 1982, but it may be even more pure, at least at this early stage, than that monumental wine. The level of intensity builds prodigiously in the mouth, and the finish lasts nearly a minute. Disarmingly accessible (although analytically the tannin level is high), I suspect it will ultimately shut down, but it was performing impeccably when I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040+. What can one say about proprietor Francois Pinault and his manager, Frederic Engerer? A strong argument can be made that in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, Latour produced the wine of the vintage, although it has plenty of competition in the Northern Medoc in 2003. Moreover, the bargains are the estate's least expensive cuvee, Pauillac, followed by Les Forts de Latour, Latour's second wine which continues to increase in quality." Robert Parker Wine Advocate #164 (Apr 2006) Château Mouton-Rothschild--Vintage 2003 impériale (1) "Backward, powerful, and extremely tannic, the dense purple-colored 2003 Mouton-Rothschild, a blend of 76 Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 Merlot, 8 Cabernet Franc, and 2 Petit Verdot, fashioned from yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare, with a finished alcohol of 12.9 improves dramatically with aeration. With full-bodied, meaty, powerful, dry flavors as well as a huge finish, this high class wine should be at its finest between 2012-2040+. During its sojourn in barrel, it reminded me of a hypothetical blend of the 1982 and 1986 Moutons, but since bottling, it appears different, and even more tannic than those two vintages. I still
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
