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  • Country ranking ?

    520
  • Producer ranking ?

    22
  • Decanting time

    4h
  • When to drink

    now to 2050
  • Food Pairing

    Butterflied leg of lamb

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The Story

Since the 17th Century, the first wine of Château Margaux has been recognised as being one of the greatest wines in the entire world. It owes its unique qualities to the genius of its terroir as well as to the passionate work of a succession of generations. It’s a remarkable wine that comes from a combination of characteristics that are only rarely found: finesse, elegance, complexity, density, intensity, length and freshness. Although its tan...

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Wine Information

Chateau Margaux, August 2003 - September 1st, 2003
The first Sauvignon blanc juices have shown, as we would have expected, very high levels of sugar, with a potential alcoholic degree approaching 14°. We are now somewhat used to this level of sugar, since it has almost become the general rule over the last few years. At Chateau Margaux, the primary aromas are fine, delicate but discreet; on the whole typical of a hot year. The total acidity i...

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Vintage 2003

2003 was the hottest vintage ever seen in Bordeaux. The most successful châteaux have passed their exceptional 2000s and some claim to have made their greatest wines in living memory.

Very dry and extremely hot summer days and nights (16 days > 95°F compared to 2 in 2000, 6 in 2005, 4 in 2009). Need to eliminate the superscript here. I can't figure out how to do it.) The deeply colored reds, low acidities and high tannins are a departure fr...

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Average Bottle Price

2024 2020 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
655€ +11.6% 587€ +14.9% 511€ +4.5% 489€ +4.7% 467€ -2.3% 478€ -33.7% 721€ -6.1% 768€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Tasting note

color

Full

nose

Intense

taste

Elegant

Written Notes

We also raided the cellar for some DRC and Leroy amongst others, but it was crowded in there, so no additional notes, sorry. My favorite wine of this lunch was the 2003 Margaux, although I will admit the crowd favored Lafite by 3 to 1! Manuel noted in the Margaux, ‘tobacco and coffee.’ The plus in my rating was for deliciousness as opposed to potential, as the ’03 Margaux was spilling out of its shirt. It was very forward, with the full sex appeal of 2003 on display. Hints of garden, chocolate and pine set the stage for a wine with intense character. This was not another floozy from 2003, as many want everyone to believe. There was excellent acidity in this rock star wine (95+).
  • 95p
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Information

Origin

Margaux, Bordeaux

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Poor

Investment potential

Good

Fake factory

None

Inside Information

Wine Advocate #152
Apr 2004
Robert M. Parker, Jr. (96-100) Drink: 2012 - 2040 $495-$1900
In an appellation that was not nearly as homogeneous in quality as Pauillac and St.-Estephe, manager Paul Pontallier has produced a prodigious 2003 Chateau Margaux that, qualitatively, towers over all the other Margaux estates. From yields of only 30 hectoliters per hectare, it includes 45% of the total crop, and spiritually as well as stylistically, represents a hypothetical blend of the 1990 and 1996. Opaque purple-colored, with an extraordinary perfume of spring flowers, blueberries, black currants, licorice, and vanillin, this 2003 exhibits an opulent texture, tremendous structure as well as definition, and an ethereal lightness of being despite its prodigious concentration. As the wine sits in the glass, notions of white chocolate and flowers come forth. The attack suggests the 1990, but the finish recalls the 1996. Phenomenally pure, and medium to full-bodied, but surprisingly light in terms of its palate impression, its aftertaste lasts well beyond one minute. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040.
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