A sufficiently wet winter to replenish the water table. A mild spring enabled the budding period in the vineyard to take place in a homogeneous way. Flowering was spread over a warm, windy period from May 12th to the end of the month. Some flower abortion (coulure) was noted which contributed to a diminution in the harvest (by comparison with the 2002 vintage). Mid flowering May 25th to May 28th The heatwave during the months of July & August led to a slow maturation ; the clayey subsoil & the deep-rootedness of the old vines played an important role in the success of this vintage: the three stormy cloudbursts during July & August enabled the vine to struggle against the heat wave. During the month of September, the variation between the day & night temperatures privileged the accumulation of large quantities of phenolic compounds. The 2003 vintage is marked by the heat wave conditions of the summer. Picking started on September 15th for the merlots & on 22th September for the cabernets sauvignons. Picking finished on September 27th. Jancis Robinson review: Quite respectably deep colour. Light fragrant nose
- very similar to the way in which the team think at Pichon Lalande. Sweet & round start then some green tannins insist but the fruit is pretty charming at first. Good effort for the vintage. Drink 2007-2012 Robert Parker: It offers luscious kirsch liqueur notes intermixed with hints of blackberries, underbrush, & spice box. It possesses good density, a voluminous, chewy mouthfeel, & a long finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. Grape: 57 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 41 % Merlot, 1 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot. * Limited stock*
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Limited stock. Bernadotte displays a violet colour with hints of violet. This wine gives out intense aromas of black currant, red currant & raspberry. Its feel in the mouth is mellow & its vigour gives it a balance that is as fresh as it is full & long. At the end of the tasting there is a persistence of black fruit & the sensation of a modern elegant wine. ...

This wine is a ' Vin de garde', a wine that one would want to set aside for ageing, as it will evolve with time, increasingly displaying its complexity, elegance, & subtle nuances, while the tannins become more supple. Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, & tobacco are complemented with toasted oak flavour's that linger on the palate. This is a voluptuous, rich & precise expression of high quality wine from a less-obvious area of Bordeaux. ...

Much more complex than the B de Biac. Round, suave, long on the palate. Red fruit notes but the wine does not reveal itself immediately. Unctuous strawberries, prunes slightly 'confites' but fresh & alive. After the second aeration in the glass, the violet sweeps away the grilled almond notes which ate typical of well mastered barrel ageing. What dominates this wine is the balance between the tannic structure without it overbearing the aromas in the mouth. Harmony & balance. ...

Much more complex than the B de Biac. Round, suave, long on the palate. Red fruit notes but the wine does not reveal itself immediately. Unctuous strawberries, prunes slightly confites but fresh & alive. After the second aeration in the glass, the violet sweeps away the grilled almond notes which ate typical of well mastered barrel ageing. What dominates this wine is the balance between the tannic structure without it overbearing the aromas in the mouth. Harmony & balance. ...

From one of the most famous & respected Chateau owners in Bordeaux comes this great value wine from Andre Lurton. Stylish, ...

This wine has a long future before it. Wait another 4 to 5 years before opening. It is a versatile wine, full of freshness, with notes of red & black fruits, & found the aromas of spices & cocoa younger brother Attractive structure on the palate that is powerful & elegant at the same time, & perfectly classical. This wine is considered as one of the best value for your money of Saint-Julien. ...

Elegance is the Canon hallmark & this is a fitting example
- as good if not better than the 2005. Fragrant red berry fruit nose.
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Elegance is the Canon hallmark & this is a fitting example
- as good if not better than the 2005. Fragrant red berry fruit nose.
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We particularly enjoyed the balance of this wine. It has all the hallmarks you would expect from a St. Estephe, but it also had charming cassis fruit & structured but not drying tannins. It is drinking very well now, but can be laid down for many years. ...