This was terrific on release, I drank a bunch as it was like $25 on the shelf.
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I would have liked to clink crystal with your dad. Truly a lifetime ago, a number of our tasting group had purchased a desirable slice of a cellar from a deceased dentist (I think?) and we had a small group dinner featuring the wines, mostly 89 & 90 right bank Bordeaux. We had never met the gentleman, but his selections were superb, and afterwards one of our cadre reached out to his widow, praising his palate and foresight.
She seemed appreciative … but mostly that the wines were no longer occupying her house. (Also we were not to contact her any more in the hopes of finding more treasures)
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Maybe that’s the reason I never see them fall apart - they are gone pretty quickly in this household! Reminder to self - pop and pour '03s and drink quickly…
This update provoked me into opening up a 2003 Sociando Mallet [Haut Medoc] and taking a look at its’ page in my shiny new (well 3 xmas’s ago) Jane Anson tome. Full bodied, dark edges, with a bouquet of currant and cedar, and a long black fruited finish. There is still some tannic structure here, but acidity is low. 13% abv on the label, but it feels bigger, more viscous than that metric. There is a lushness/sweetness on the backpalate that is remarkable, unlike most pyrazine inflected S-M’s, which might remind long time Jean Gautreau fans of his glorious 1990. On my ledger, I place this slightly cabernet dominant blend in the A zone.
It has taken a generation of exceptional efforts, and happy/warm weather, for Sociando Mallet (and Gloria) to transcend the constricted, rigid classification framework, and receive fair accolades – $40 prices and scarce slots in redwood racks in cooled cellars.
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03 Latour was stunning last year to celebrate our 20th. And I don’t really like claret. As was the 03 CdM. Only two 03s from anywhere I would drink again. Although I have some Sociando Mallet and Pontet-Canet in the cellar.
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Lafon Rochet - St.Estephe - 2003
Like the last one tried in 2021, this had an inviting nose of dark cherry, sweet blackcurrant and plum, perhaps a little more Xmas cake than before. Fully mature, it provides a very smooth mouthful of those flavours, plus some dark raspberry midpalate and a lingering finish. Still quite fresh and vibrant, once again with none of the figgy, porty tastes of other 03s. Just a very good wine.
Not as good as more recent Lafon-Rochets, and I think like the other rare 03 successes, “in spite of” rather than “because of” the vintage conditions, but well worth looking out for at auction as it’s selling here for around 40€ commission included. 93 pts
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I had the '03 Montrose this weekend and it was superb. Still going strong and probably in it’s peak drinking window.
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