I am looking to give a couple a bottle of an 03 vintage wine to celebrate their anniversary. They “HATE” sweet wine, so Yquem is out. Can I get some suggestions? Gangas said Bdx - so any recs for that would be great. PCanet? Lunch Bags? Angelus? Unfortunately, my yard sale also included my Leoville Barton!
Thanks,
Mike
I love the '03 Charvin CdP, even though I’ve hated '03’s by the normal standard bearers.
Jamet Cote Rotie
If they love modern CA cabs, any number of Bordeaux would fit the bill.
03 was a brutally hot vintage in the the US & Europe – I would look for vineyards in cooler climes or higher elevations.
I’m not sure what your budget is but I don’t think you can go wrong with left bank Bordeaux from 2003. Pichon Baron and Lalande, Pontet Canet, Ducru, Leoville Poyferre are in the $100 range. If you reach to $175 Montrose and Cos are really special in 03.
MK
I think Larry gives some great ideas.
2003 Dal Forno Amarone. Pricier than the Bdx options, but worth it.
03 Cepparello is excellent.
One thing to keep in mind, most high-end 2003 Bordeaux – from which there are some special wines – are nowhere near peak drinking.
I would also say the Quintarelli Amarone is a safe bet, but Dal Forno is slightly better in this vintage (not accounting for Quintarelli’s Riserva, since I haven’t tasted it and don’t know anyone who has). These can be opened now or saved.
Other Italian options:
If you are looking to spend less, I have heard good things about the '03 Rinaldi Barolo Le Coste. I’m opening a '03 Monprivato next week. I’ll report back. Both can be found for approx. $80.
If you want a more modern option, Gaja had a relatively successful 2003. The Sperrs, Sori San Lorenzo, Sori Tilden and Conteisa all were well-received for the vintage.
I dont have a bdx suggestion because I agree with others above that first or second bdx are still too young unless you go with something like Pavillon de Poyferre. From the CA side I would recommend 2003 Pride CS; it is drinking really good right now. Stay away from the reserve, it is still too tight.
I’m sure I could find the Barton, if you need/want one back. I’ll have to figure out what the flipper price is, though.
I’d go with Champagne…the 2003’s are hitting the market right now and it’s a celebration. Why not grab the '03 Dom. Not crazy in price and easy to find…
All of the wines mentioned are or will be very good, and the Pontet Canet I opened a few weeks ago was marvelous. But I do think you can go very very wrong with left (or right) bank in 2003; there are some sensational wines but you have to pick judiciously. (BTW, I doubt you can find the Poyferre anywhere close to $100, but if you can you should buy all you can. I am not sure it is ready to drink, but it will be sublime in 10 years).
what about getting them a bottle from the year they met? chances are it’s a better vintage.
Kirk’s Champagne works for me if your friends are foodies. Philipponnat Cuvee 1522 or Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Brut are delicious.
+1
All great selections. The '03 Montrose I had from 375 a few months ago was outstanding. Young, yes, but starting to show some ancillary notes. A really fantastic botte of wine. I regret opening a Leoville Poyferre last year in 750 format as it did not show - it was closed. Avoid the 03 right banks for the most part, but the Northern Medocs faired very well.
Do they like CdP? Pegau Reservee 2003 is an utterly fantastic wine and is perfect and ready to drink right now.
+1 Had both in February and they were amazing. I prefered the Montrose though.
With the big plusses of being affordable and easy to find.