Anne’s Comments
Flowering happened quickly and regularly around June 8 scheduling picking around September 6. Early vintage, a good omen.
Then the strong heat and the increasingly worrying drought sharply accelerated the maturation. On August 15th I realized I needed to pick on August 25th. Just enough time to organize the work and picking took place over 4 days, starting very early the morning until 1 p.m.
I made an error of judgment on the volume of juice, it was even worse than expected… The yield of the plots were very irregular (around 20 hl/ha for red wines and 40 hl/ha for white wines). We vinified very carefully.
White wines are very rich, ample, even creamy, maybe lacking a little acidity so having not ageing potential but what roundness !
Red wines are quite tannic, coloured and well structured, with spicy aromas and black fruits. A short vatting allowed to preserve the elegance.
It is developping on certain wines some notes of mocha, roasting,… Signature of the 2003 vintage ?
journalists’ Comments
Richebourg
The wine advocate – Août 2005 :
Produced from a parcel located in the upper, rockier section of its grand cru, the dark-colored 2003 Richebourg explodes from the glass with myriad spices and black fruits. Medium to full-bodied, muscular (yet rafined), and boasting a luxurious velvety texture, it exhibits red cherries, candied blackberries, and cassis as well as untold quantities of spices. Its palate-staining, mouth-coating personality is packed with both fleshy fruit as well as structure-giving tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2022+.
Clive Coates – Février 2012: fullish colour. Full, rich luscious nose. Very ripe. Most attractive. Even more seductive and opulent than the wine above. Full body. Very good grip. Very lovely. Not a bit like an average 2003 because no lack of class. And long and complex. Delicious.
Clos Vougeot
The wine advocate – Août 2005 :
A hint of reduction could be found in the otherwise delightful aromatics of the 2003 Clos Vougeot, le Grand Maupertui. Its scents of blackberries, black cherries, plums, licorice, and tar lead to an intense character. Its powerful, deep core is crammed with sappy dark berries as well as monstrous levels of ripe yet solid tannin. Projected maturity: 2010-2020.
Clive Coates – Février 2012 : fullish colour, but not exaggeratedly so. Rich, cooked nose. Ripe and fat and succulent. Fullish body. Very good acidity for a 2003. Long and seductive. Still Youthful. Ready but will last well.
The wine advocate – Août 2005 :
Produced from three parcels located in the commune of Nuits-St-Georges and Vosne-Romanée as well as in the Hautes Côtes, the 2003 Bourgogne reveals some reduction (this lack of oxygen will dissipate with cellaring). Its oily textured, medium-bodied personality is suave, rich, deep, and packed with aweat black fruits. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2011.
Hautes Côtes de Nuits cuvée Marine 2003
The wine advocate – Août 2005 :
Fashioned in 80% 500-liter barrels (half new, half 1 year old) and 20% stainless steel tanks, the 2003 Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits Cuvée Marine (white) reveals fresh minerals and spices. Medium-bodied and sensually textured, it beasts terrific toast, spice, apple, and near flavours in a surprisingly persistent, fleshy format. Drink it over the next 4 years.
Bourgogne route de Flagey 2003
The wine advocate – Août 2005 :
There are two barrels (one new, one 1 year old) of the 2003 Bourgogne Route de Flagey (white). Produced from 7 years old vines, it bursts from the glass with boisterous aromas of spicy pears, white pepper, and candied apples. Light to medium-bodied, it is focused, fresh, and filled with minerals as well as white fruits. Drink it over the next 3 years.
Chambolle-Musigny “La Combe d’Orveau” 2003 :
The wine advocate – Août 2005 :
Also tasted: 2003 Chambolle-Musigny Combe d’Orveaux, 2003 Vosne-Romanée Barreaux. Importer: A Peter Vezan Selection, Paris. Fax: #011-33-1-42-55-42-93
The fine wine review Number 109 – Janvier 2006 : We start with the red Bourgogne-Hautes Côtes de Nuits, from seven year-old vines. The nose is mineral and pure with lavender that continues on the palate. This is a delicious, pure Pinot for drinking young. (85-89).
VINTAGES