TN: Pichon Baron 2003

[Max_Marinucci]

Disclosure: I do sell the wine.

After Dr. Spikes’ high praise and the fact that I had not tasted the wine since release, I’ve cracked a bottle last night. Decanted it two hours prior, this is another wine that makes me a believer in 2003 Medocs. It’s a big wine and it does need some air to really come alive. Technically, I would give it 5-6 more years to really show its stuff right out the bottle. I remember the wine being much more open and in your face upon release and it has obviously closed up a bit, which kind of goes against the more common belief that 2003 Medocs are just low acid fruit bombs with no class. This is textbook Paulliac and it developed a nice tannic backbone with wonderful structure to back up all the 2003 juicy fruit that is there. After four hours the wine is really singing and offers up beautiful notes of cocoa beans, vanilla and smoke. Beautifully balanced, yes low acid but still light on its feet and very classy. I would not put it very far behind my favorite PB of all time, the 2000, in terms of overall quality (not style obviously, as we’re still talking 2003 here).

[mike.m]

@Max Marinucci

Disclosure: I do sell the wine.

After Dr. Spikes’ high praise and the fact that I had not tasted the wine since release, I’ve cracked a bottle last night. Decanted it two hours prior, this is another wine that makes me a believer in 2003 Medocs. It’s a big wine and it does need some air to really come alive. Technically, I would give it 5-6 more years to really show its stuff right out the bottle. I remember the wine being much more open and in your face upon release and it has obviously closed up a bit, which kind of goes against the more common belief that 2003 Medocs are just low acid fruit bombs with no class. This is textbook Paulliac and it developed a nice tannic backbone with wonderful structure to back up all the 2003 juicy fruit that is there. After four hours the wine is really singing and offers up beautiful notes of cocoa beans, vanilla and smoke. Beautifully balanced, yes low acid but still light on its feet and very classy. I would not put it very far behind my favorite PB of all time, the 2000, in terms of overall quality (not style obviously, as we’re still talking 2003 here).

I’m still kicking myself for not buying any when it was under $90. This wine was seriously rocking as a baby. Good to hear it is doing well. I’d love to try it again someday.

[AnthonyA]

I bought a fair amount of this wine on release and have tried it twice…once on release and again in 2008 and I completely agree with your TN’s. It is a bit more of a modern style than previous vintages but still retains all the Paulliac profiles. I agree too that in 5yrs (or even 10) it will show even better.

[Jeff_Cassetta]

@Max Marinucci

Disclosure: I do sell the wine.

After Dr. Spikes’ high praise and the fact that I had not tasted the wine since release, I’ve cracked a bottle last night. Decanted it two hours prior, this is another wine that makes me a believer in 2003 Medocs. It’s a big wine and it does need some air to really come alive. Technically, I would give it 5-6 more years to really show its stuff right out the bottle. I remember the wine being much more open and in your face upon release and it has obviously closed up a bit, which kind of goes against the more common belief that 2003 Medocs are just low acid fruit bombs with no class. This is textbook Paulliac and it developed a nice tannic backbone with wonderful structure to back up all the 2003 juicy fruit that is there. After four hours the wine is really singing and offers up beautiful notes of cocoa beans, vanilla and smoke. Beautifully balanced, yes low acid but still light on its feet and very classy. I would not put it very far behind my favorite PB of all time, the 2000, in terms of overall quality (not style obviously, as we’re still talking 2003 here).

I like see your TN’s Max! I agree with your assesment regarding the comparison to the '00, just a notch below…both will be lots of fun over the next 20-30 years though.

[Steve_Saxon]

I picked up a 6 pack of the 03 PB at Costco when it was released so it’s love reading notes like that. Maybe I’ll take one down to Telluride and see for myself.

[Greg_Malcolm]

Thanks for the note, Max. This was rockin’ on release. I’m trying to keep my hands off of the few bottles that I have for several more years, but notes like this don’t help.

[Jack_Bulkin]

Thanks for the note Max. Despite the initial hoopla about how open all the 03 Medocs were, I never cracked one of the First or Second growths. I do have a few PB 375’s in addition to the 750’s. Do you think that the wine is showing well enough now to open a half bottle now?

[Chris_S_p_i_k_e_s]

Next stop for this wine - 5 years down the road, then it’s off to the races IMO. A very nice wine that makes a mockery of the recent vintages’ pricing in comparison.

I am really starting to love the Left Bank Bordeaux from 03 more and more. I had forgotten the assertion that these 03’s were supposed to be low acid fruit bombs. Not my impression at all, but then again, it wasn’t a tannic beast. Lush and full bodied is how I would describe it. Great wine to drink while waiting on the 05’s to shed their tannins.

Disclosure - I own a lot of this wine and bought more after opening it last week.

Chris

[Keith_A_k_e_r_s]

great note max. I’ve had this a couple times and I agree with everything you said, it has some awesome potential. It seemed like it was starting to shut down a bit the last time I had it too

[Max_Marinucci]

@Jack Bulkin

Thanks for the note Max. Despite the initial hoopla about how open all the 03 Medocs were, I never cracked one of the First or Second growths. I do have a few PB 375’s in addition to the 750’s. Do you think that the wine is showing well enough now to open a half bottle now?

Jack,

From halves it would probably very sweeeet. I’d still give it a quick decanting but I would think it’d be a little more evolved. Had Pape Clement recently also and I’m still kicking myself for having sold all of it. What a great wine there. It’s all Spikes’ fault!

[Jack_Bulkin]

@Max Marinucci

@Jack Bulkin

Thanks for the note Max. Despite the initial hoopla about how open all the 03 Medocs were, I never cracked one of the First or Second growths. I do have a few PB 375’s in addition to the 750’s. Do you think that the wine is showing well enough now to open a half bottle now?

Jack,

From halves it would probably very sweeeet. I’d still give it a quick decanting but I would think it’d be a little more evolved. Had Pape Clement recently also and I’m still kicking myself for having sold all of it. What a great wine there. It’s all Spikes’ fault!

I love the 03 Pape Clement. I recently opened one for Otto and Mel and the folks from Jonata. It wasn’t as glorious as other past bottles, but that may have been attributed to the other wines we drank that night.

[Jeff_Cassetta]

Now I’m sitting here wondering why I don’t have any '03 Pape Clement? As well as if I need anymore '05 La Vieille Cure…I hear that someone has a SMOKEN deal out there…

[Chris_S_p_i_k_e_s]

Jeff - I think Max sold out of the 03 Pape Clement. I kind of wish I had bought more, but I like PB better, but that is just me. Around here in our tasting groups, 03 Pape has been a rock star.

Chris

[Jack_Bulkin]

@Chris S p i k e s

Jeff - I think Max sold out of the 03 Pape Clement. I kind of wish I had bought more, but I like PB better, but that is just me. Around here in our tasting groups, 03 Pape has been a rock star.

Chris

My first 2 bottles of the 03 PC reminded me of a young La Mission Haut Brion. The 3rd not as much.
Who is selling the La Vielle Cure? Not that i need any?

[Max_Marinucci]

@Jack Bulkin

@Chris S p i k e s

Jeff - I think Max sold out of the 03 Pape Clement. I kind of wish I had bought more, but I like PB better, but that is just me. Around here in our tasting groups, 03 Pape has been a rock star.

Chris

My first 2 bottles of the 03 PC reminded me of a young La Mission Haut Brion. The 3rd not as much.
Who is selling the La Vielle Cure? Not that i need any?

I find the 2003 Pape a lot more “in your face” in the tobacco/minerals/wet stones department than La Miss. 2005 VC? Do you want me to pimp myself out right here?

[Jack_Bulkin]

@Max Marinucci

@Jack Bulkin

@Chris S p i k e s

Jeff - I think Max sold out of the 03 Pape Clement. I kind of wish I had bought more, but I like PB better, but that is just me. Around here in our tasting groups, 03 Pape has been a rock star.

Chris

My first 2 bottles of the 03 PC reminded me of a young La Mission Haut Brion. The 3rd not as much.
Who is selling the La Vielle Cure? Not that i need any?

I find the 2003 Pape a lot more “in your face” in the tobacco/minerals/wet stones department than La Miss. 2005 VC? Do you want me to pimp myself out right here?

I already have a case and a half of LVC so no pimping necessary Max.

[Jeff_Cassetta]

@Jack Bulkin

@Max Marinucci

@Jack Bulkin

My first 2 bottles of the 03 PC reminded me of a young La Mission Haut Brion. The 3rd not as much.
Who is selling the La Vielle Cure? Not that i need any?

I find the 2003 Pape a lot more “in your face” in the tobacco/minerals/wet stones department than La Miss. 2005 VC? Do you want me to pimp myself out right here?

I already have a case and a half of LVC so no pimping necessary Max.

So…I have 23 bottles…but at under $23 it’s got me thinking…maybe someone will save me from myself…