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The winter was very dry with a hot month of October and the months of November and December marked by the cold.
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The months of March and April were dry with average monthly temperatures well above normal and relatively important differences between maximum and minimum temperatures during the day. At the beginning of June, the sun and high temperatures caused a rapid flowering. Unfortunately a period of rain and cold occurred during the flowering. This caused a bad attack of coulure in those parcels that were in advance and particularly in the merlots.
Mid-flowering June 2nd
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The month of July was cool, moderatly sunny with very little rain. The beginning of the month of August was cool and it took some time for the grapes to change colour. Fortunately, the second half of August and the first half of September were sunny, hot and very dry. The last days of September and the first ten days of October were cool but sunny and presented a wide range of temperatures between night and day which enabled good maturity of the polyphenols (tannins and anthocyanins). Once again, this year saw a magnificent Indian Summer. This weather was favourable for the vineyard where the excellent sanitary condition of the grapes allowed them to reap the benefits of late season ripening.
Mid- Veraison August 13th
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Picking started on September 30th for the merlots and October 4th for the cabernets sauvignons.
Picking finished on October 10th
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Cabernet Sauvignon: 51%
Merlot: 34%
Cabernet Franc: 9%
Petit Verdot: 6%
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Picking by hand allows us to harvest the complants separately in all the parcels. Each grape variety and each vat is vinified so as to respect the expression of the terroir. |
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The Wine Advocate - Robert Parker
31st October 2003 |
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92-94
A tannic, super concentrated effort from Pichon Lalande. It possesses a saturated purple color in addition to a firm but promising bouquet of figs, black currant liqueur, licorice, lavender, and background smoky oak. Tannic, classically structured, exceptionally pure and layered as well as tremendously persistent and long in the mouth, this will not be a wine to drink in its youth. Medium-bodied, it will require 7-8 years of cellaring and should last for 20-25 years. It is very impressive, but structured effort from this famous estate. |
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Le Monde des Grands Bordeaux - Château Classic
July 2003 |
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| This wine tends to rely on its Merlots to obtain a gentleness and roundedness which is unique to Pauillac. In this cabernet vintage, Pichon Comtesse reveals some emphatic tannins and a prodigious density. There is a definite generosity and elegance in the mouth. A must. |
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Decanter - Château Classic
April 2003 |
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| Superb deep velvety colour, really exceptional expression of fruit dominated by blackcurrant and cherries, well-structured but lissom on the palate, finely grained tannins, a marvellous wine, showing seduction and power. Drink 2007-2025 |
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Wine Spectator - James Suckling
April 2003 |
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| 92-94. The nose is gorgeous. I like just smelling it. Cassis, with minerals and hints of ripe blackberries. Full-bodied, with plenty of fine tannins and a long, fresh finish. Very beautiful indeed. Very elegant. Showing a lot of the Cabernet Franc character. |
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Berry Bros & Rudd
April 2003 |
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| 18,5 / 20. if Latour, Lafite and Mouton are the Kings of Pauillac, then Pichon Lalande is the Queen. As one would expect, this is an incredibly sophisticated wine. An explosive palate of fine, ripe, plump red fruit presents itself in an immediately appealing but stylish fashion. Crisp acidity runs through the wine, from its attractive sweet attack to its long, firm finish. The exceptional Pichon will mature extremely well. Drink 2009-2018 |
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Vin Vino Life - Mr Dresher
April 2003 |
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| 91-92 |
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In-house tasting note - Thomas Dô-Chi-Nam
March 2003 |
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| The density of colour is very strong, purple violet. This year again the cabernets are sumptuous. The wine presents a nose of ripe red fruit, black currant and cherry, with a touch of oak at this stage. The depth of the aromas augurs well for the future complexity of this wine. The attack is big. The wine develops in the mouth with a lot of firmness. The tannins, solid and dense, are very well maintained by a fleshy envelope, that is at the same time both savoury and firm. The fatness, the length, the silkiness and the solidity of the vintage are amazing. The quality potential of this wine is remarkable. |
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