Beschreibung:

Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 2003
1 dozen bottles per lot
THE 2003 BORDEAUX VINTAGE After twenty-five years of tasting the newest Bordeaux vintage at approximately six months of age, I have never seen a year as irregular and fascinating as 2003. This is not surprising given the historic extremes of weather France endured in June, July, and August, 2003. The marketplace perception is that this is an exceptional vintage with a personality not dissimilar from such hot vintages as 1990, 1982, and possibly ancient years such as 1959 and 1947. While there are offerings that recall the 1982s or 1990s at a similar stage (fortunately, I am not old enough to have tasted the 1947s or 1959s at six months of age), the 2003 vintage is different for many reasons. The most striking feature about the eight days I spent tasting the 2003s was that I felt like I was tasting five or six different vintages, a sentiment I never before experienced. Some wines were reminiscent of 1990, a few of 1982, but others had more in common with 1991, 1989, and 1975. The vintage is frightfully irregular, but some profoundly great wines were produced, particularly in the most favored sector, the northern Medoc. Robert Parker #152 (Apr 04) Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 2003 Pauillac, 1er cru classé In original wooden case "One of the vintage's most prodigious wines, the 2003 may be a modern day clone of the 1959 Lafite Rothschild. Unusually opulent and viscous, with a dense purple color and an amazingly complex nose of scorched earth, Asian soy, balsamic vinegar, black currants, plums, and even some figs, Lafite tips the scales at 12.75 alcohol (less than they expected). The final blend is 86 Cabernet Sauvignon, 9 Merlot, # Cabernet Franc, and 2 Petit Verdot. A wine of great intensity, tremendous viscosity and density with low acidity (the pH is pushing 4), and a magnificent finish, but all with great precision, purity and freshness, this is a tour de force is winemaking and something that simply has to be tasted to be believed. I have never had another Lafite Rothschild anything like it, and those who would argue that the 1982 or 1959 are cut from the same mold may have some supportive evidence. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050+." (Robert Parker Wine Advocate #158 (Apr 2005) 1 dozen bottles per lot