The complete 2003 vintage guide | Wine Reviews

Find out more about 2003 vintage for French wines? We share our opinions on this year's wines, a wine news not to be missed! Here's our complete guide to the wines of 2003.

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• THE 2003 BORDEAUX VINTAGE

The 2003 vintage will leave many memories in France, and not just among winegrowers. The year 2003 was marked by an anticyclone from North Africa, which hit France with full force. A severe heat wave hit the region, setting impressive records for the vegetative cycle.

Researchers are going to measure the vine's lead time during flowering and veraison. For 2003, veraison will be more than a week ahead of average, something that hasn't happened for more than 50 years. From the beginning of March, temperatures will be well above average until August. Generally speaking, hot weather is followed by water stress, but in the end, the storms allowed the vines to gorge themselves with water and avoid this mishap. Only soils with large stones, especially on gravelly soils, do not retain water as well as others, which will suffer from this hydric stress.

As far as the harvest is concerned, it will start very early. For some plots, harvesting will start in the second half of August. These practices will come as a surprise to many winegrowers, who will have to demonstrate their adaptability. With all these climatic difficulties, many châteaux will be bringing in juices that are too green, as phenolic ripeness will not have been reached, even though alcohol potential is already very high. Some will return wines that are overcooked, heavily attacked by the sun and lacking balance. The winemakers who manage these difficulties best will produce great wines, tannic, powerful and highly aromatic.

As for the white wines, they will not be remembered for their lack of freshness. On the other hand, sweet white wines will record an exceptional event. The harvest will start almost at the same time as the reds. The reds, which need a little more time to reach perfect ripeness, will be well served by this heatwave.

We have many fine Bordeaux bottles from the 2003 vintage and we can't do without telling you about Château Lafite Rothschild 2003rated 100/100 by Parker. Closely followed by the Château Margaux 2003Rated 98/100 by Parker, this delicate wine completes the line of great Bordeaux wines. Still on Margaux, Château Labegorce Zédé 2003 is a favorite among wine lovers. Richer yet delicate, it offers excellent value for money.

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• THE 2003 VINTAGE IN BURGUNDY

Burgundy also had a relatively eventful few months. First of all, it was to experience a difficult winter, with frost settling in the vineyards at bud-break and immediately reducing juice production. Then, just like everywhere else, temperatures climbed and climbed, leaving their mark on the vineyards. As in Bordeaux, some plots will cope better with high temperatures. Those with deep clay soils will be a little less affected by the heat. Another detail not to be overlooked is the age of the vines. Older, deeper vines will be better able to cope with too much sun and possible water stress following a lack of rain. Under these conditions, it's true that 2003 will be a year of winemakers just about everywhere in France. The best will be able to manage the lack of balance in their wines to produce full-bodied, powerful wines with good ageing potential. 

For Burgundy wine lovers, we still have a few samples of fine bottles. In reds, we still have wines from Domaine Michel Lafarge, Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes 2003. In white wine, the Meursault 1er Cru Château de Blagny 2003 by Maison Latour is representative of the 2003 vintage, with full, concentrated wines.

 

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• THE 2003 VINTAGE IN THE RHÔNE REGION

Finally, if there's one region that's well equipped to cope with hot weather, it's the Rhône Valley. Accustomed to hot weather, Rhone winegrowers find it easier to produce wines rich in alcohol. The beginning of the year was not necessarily auspicious, with a slight delay in budburst, but this was quickly made up for by the hot weather of the vintage. The rest of the year was early, with above-average temperatures, resulting in very powerful, well-structured wines. Both north and south of the Rhône Valley, the wines will be successful overall. White wines will be round and rich, but with average ageing potential. 

Once again, we have a few nuggets to share with you from the 2003 vintage. For starters, l'Ermitage, Le Meal de la maison Ferraton & fils 2003 will be perfect for discovering the power and complexity of a beautiful Syrah. In the south, the Châteauneuf du Pape Les Baud, Domaine Bois de Boursan 2003 is surprisingly dense, yet round at the same time. For white wines, we still have bottles of Châteauneuf du Pape white from Château de Vaudieu 2003 which is interesting to taste for the evolved aromas it releases. Lightly candied, supple with a light finish, perfect for white fish.

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• THE 2003 VINTAGE IN THE REST OF FRANCE

Across France, the heat is going to leave its mark on the vines, creating complications for winegrowers who are unable to manage very advanced ripening.

In ChampagneThis year is going to be the most complicated in France. First, a polar cold set in during January and February. Then came the hailstorms in May. Then came the heatwave, the highlight of the year, with record harvests.

In the LoireThe grapes were affected by the blazing sun and oppressive heat. However, Loire wines took advantage of the water reserves generated by the heavy rains to avoid water stress. Both reds and whites fared well, but the sweet wines were the big winners of the year.

In Alsace, it was also a catastrophe. First frost hit the region, then hail, and finally heat toasted the surviving grapes. Complicated to produce, with average ageing potential, it was the Gewurztraminers that fared best.