2003 Clos des Lambrays, Domaine des Lambrays (750ml)

Vintage: 2003
Format: 750ml
Wine Name: Clos des Lambrays
Vineyard:
Designation: Grand Cru
Appellation: Clos des Lambrays
Producer: Domaine des Lambrays
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Type: Red
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Sub-Region: Cote de Nuits
Alcohol:

Tasting note: The nose is certainly quite ripe yet clearly pinot-based with a potent mix of red, black and violet aromas that introduce powerful and concentrated flavors that are supple, rich, densely but finely structured and immensely complex, possessing enormous depth and incredible length. The only nit is a touch of warmth but that often comes with the territory in this vintage. A 2003 to buy. (92pts AM, Burghound)

Tasted: Jan 1, 2006
Score: 92
Drink: Try from 2015+ 

Tasting note: Good full, deep red. Musky, brooding aromas of black raspberry, plum, smoky oak and game; not especially extreme in the context of the vintage. Then thick, dense, chewy and sweet; as superripe, layered and generous as this is, it also retains very good verve and a bit of restraint. Finishes with huge tannins and a whiplash of mocha and roasted herb flavors. This very large-scaled wine really calls for a decade of bottle aging. These 2003s have turned out very well. (93+?pts ST, International Wine Cellar)

Tasted: Mar/Apr. 2006
Score: 93+?
Drink: NA

Tasting note: Aged in 75% new oak, the tobacco, blackberry, leather, and tar-scented 2003 Clos des Lambrays is medium to full-bodied, dense, and chewy. Hugely tannic yet concentrated and deep, this is a brooding chocolate, plum, blackberry, spice, smoky mineral, and black raspberry-flavored wine. Uncivilized and firm, it will benefit from cellaring. Projected maturity: 2009-2020.  (92pts PR, Wine Advocate)

Tasted: Aug 2005
Score: 92
Drink: 2009-2020

Tasting note: An opulent, exotic red. Packed with Asian spices, sweet blackberry and raspberry ganache notes, a swath of dense tannins and new oak for support. Vibrant, and sings now, but needs time to fulfill its potential. Great length. Best from 2009 through 2025. 400 cases imported.  (94pts BS, Wine Spectator)

Tasted: Nov 15, 2006
Score: 94
Drink: 2009-2025