One of the scientists where I work is hosting a wine tasting this evening. The following are the offerings (with notes he supplied), but I'm not sure I can go. \:\(

2003 Chateau Longueville du Baron de Pichon-Longueville (usually call Pichon Baron, a “second growth” in the 1855 classification)

This is a brilliantly run property year in and year out, and especially since the mid- to late 1980s has produced one of the top four or five wines made in Pauillac in virtually every vintage. With 13.4% alcohol, the 2003 is one of the most powerful efforts this chateau has ever made. Its dense purple color is accompanied by sweet, jammy creme de cassis notes intermixed with roasted herbs, smoked meats, and chocolate. Although ripe, dense, full-bodied, and moderately tannic, it is silky (because of its low acidity and high glycerin) as well as accessible. It should firm up in the bottle, and be at its peak between 2008-2025. 94+ pts (WA)

Wow. This shows so much ripe fruit and berry character with just the right hint of lead pencil and spice. Full-bodied and very chewy. Big and powerful. Beautiful wine. Superb. Best after 2012. 14,000 cases made. 95 pts (WS)


2003 Ch. Lagrange

Dense purple in color and surprisingly open-knit and velvety textured, the full-bodied, fleshy, succulently styled 2003 Lagrange is more accessible than most Northern Medocs. With low acidity, silky tannin, and loads of chocolatey black currant and cherry fruit as well as nicely integrated, toasty oak, this sensual wine should drink beautifully in 2-3 years (in 2006) and last for 15-18. 91 pts (WA)


2003 Ch. Pipeau

A good value from St.-Emilion, this well-run estate has turned out a dense, muscular, masculine-styled 2003 with a dark ruby/purple color, and up-front, ripe black cherry fruit intermixed with hints of black currants, earth, and incense. Plush, fleshy, long, and low in acidity, it should be consumed over the next 7-10 years. As always, this is a very sexy wine. 88 pts


2003 Vrai Canon Bouche

This noble effort, displaying terrific purity, power, and richness, provides further evidence that Canon-Fronsac’s cool terroirs were beneficial in the torridly hot, dry summer of 2003. An inky/ruby/purple color accompanies aromas of violets, blueberries, and crushed stones. Powerful, rich, and generous, this sleeper of the vintage should be at its finest between 2006-2014. 88-90 pts (Barrel Sample)


2003 Ch. Mont-Perat

A delicious offering from the Despagne firm, which clearly knows how to produce budget-priced (~$20) Bordeaux that can compete with some of the region’s more hallowed names, the 2003 Mont Perat exhibits abundant quantities of cedar, barbecue smoke, spicy herbs, and black cherry and currant fruit. Like all the Despagne wines, it possesses loads of character and soul. Enjoy it during its first 2-4 years of life. 87 pts (WA)


2003 Ch. D’Aiguilhe

This large (120+ acres) vineyard planted on limestone and clay soils is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, the 2003 was produced from yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare. It exhibits a dense purple color as well as a big, sweet nose of scorched earth, blackberries, underbrush, cherries, and smoke. Layered, opulent, powerful, and rich, with its tannin character well-hidden by abundant fruit, it should drink well for 10-12 years. It is another example of this backwater appellation producing a wine that transcends its pedigree. 90 pts (WA)