Very hot vintage makes these traditionally undrinkable wines decent too 
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some of the 03s are lovely. I think Cos 2003 is a beautiful wine, every time I’ve ever had it.
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Agreed, and in other so-called off-vintages as well. I love the 2011, have lots of it, even just grabbed a 3L.
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We had this a couple of weeks ago and it was excellent. A wonderful bottle.
Regarding 2022 Bordeaux, I don’t think I will be buying futures, given my age. I will continue to concentrate on backfilling where there are good opportunities. However, I am looking forward to the reports and the continuing discussions!
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Lafite is quite good, and still hanging on!
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I’m confused, is anyone saying 2022 bears a resemblance to 2003, or do people just hear “hot” and assume it’s 2003 all over again? There have been a lot of hot vintages since then.
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the latter.
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Had the 03 Montrose last month and it showed quite well. Certainly well enough for my glass to end up drained. For me the 03s in general have a tendency to show bottle variation quite often.
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It’s been drinking well for a while. That and the 2003 Poyferre.
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Brought along a 1991 Lalande for dinner with some friends six months ago. Showed really well blind.
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Greetings from Bordeaux! One tasting down covering wines down. Only 110 more appointments covering maybe 750 wines left to do,
I am not sure who has been comparing 2003 with 2022, but that’s wrong.
Here’s a few points to keep in mind.
2003 was hot, morning, noon and night. In 2003, the leaves were cut back to allow for maximum exposure to the sun. Some producers sought even more concentration so they bled the vats. Grapes were left on the vine longer than usual.
With 2022 you had cool nights, adding acidity. Today, vineyards are managed to shade the grapes. Few producers bleed the vats today, as the wines already have enough concentration. Harvesting is not as late as the goal is more freshness. Selection is more stringent today.
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I avoided most '03’s, except Poyferre. I started drinking it around 2012 and kept reloading at auction. Last 2 bottles seemed a bit past prime though. It was a great run, but might be coming to an end.
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First feedback from French wine critic Jean-Marc Quarin on the 2022 vintage. He wrote, among other things: 80% of the wines I taste are the best ever made (ie highest En Primeur score). The alcohol levels are higher than in 2020 or 2016. 15% for the right bank, 13.5% to 14.2% for the left bank (compare that with what William wrote yesterday about Mouton 2020 coming in at 12.8%).
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2020 Mouton, or 2022 Mouton?
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Yes 2020. I mentioned it to show, that 2022 will be a higher ABV vintage compared to 2020 and 2016.
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Very interesting, will be interesting to hear what the general theme for 2022 will be…High Al% worries me but I feel they are adapting to ‘climate change’
I‘m not really worried by the mentioned levels as I seldomly got signs of alcohol heat in wines under 15%. But I just prefer lower levels.
I am more worried right bank than left, sometimes Pomerol hit 15.5% which I find a little high and prefer like you lower levels, but as long as it is well indicated I suppose I should not worry too much…
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Best ever again? What happened to recent 16 and 19 
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19 was never touted as “best ever”.
It’s a very good vintage with early drinking appeal and (was) an incredibly well priced vintage on futures.
Based on the final number of high scoring wines, I surmise that 2020 is the best vintage after 2016, since that is how many top vintages seem to be graded.
FWIW, my favorite recent vintages are 16, 19 and 21 based on balance and transparency of terroir. 18 and 20 are far more dense vintages that I think will need a lot more time than I’m willing to wait.
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