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| The June 2004 Newsletter: Bordeaux 2003 - Some now on sale! The FT100 is currently at 4430 and the Dow Jones is at 10167, and both exchanges are in limbo. Interest rates have risen and are set to rise again on both sides of the Atlantic and the property market is overpriced. Although we have been saying for a considerable time that the property market is due for a fall, just about everybody now agrees - it is just a matter of time! Bordeaux 2003 The wines have started to come onto the market in a fairly controlled manner. The first growths have yet to declare, being a little cynical they may just release them on Monday, 31st June, as it is a Bank Holiday in the UK. It has happened before! The predictions on price vary wildly, we at Dunbar Fine Wine have always thought that they would be expensive - the rationale being that for example the 2002 Latour sells at around 1250 GBP, the 2000 at 3300 GBP so why price it low when we all know that it will fly. It is interesting to note that some wags in the business were theorising a month ago that the probable opening price level would be around the 2002 price or a little bit more, i.e. 700-900 GBP. Our money is on around 1500 GBP for the first tranche (there will not be much of that to go around) and from there the price will sky rocket. We really hope that we are wrong. For what has been released so far, then the stars have been Leoville Barton, Clos Fourtet and Sociando Mallet. The first tranche of Barton sold out in London in just a few hours, with initial prices around 330 GBP but some merchants released below this in single case quantities. This wine can still be found at prices that range from 415 - 480 GBP per case. Robert Parker said of the Château Léoville Barton: "One of the superstars of the vintage, Leoville-Barton's 2003 (tasted four times with identical notes) is a powerfully rich, muscular offering possessing a saturated plum/purple colour as well as high levels of tannin, low acidity, and inky flavours that have profound depth as well as penetration on the palate. It recalls the 2000 in colour saturation and power, but has lower acidity, and a fleshier, fatter mouthfeel. I would assume the alcohol is also slightly high. This formidably endowed St.-Julien should prove to be one of the longest-lived wines of the vintage. It will require 4-8 years of cellaring, and will keep for 25-30 years. It is a brilliant offering from proprietor Anthony Barton, who has demonstrated a Midas touch over the last 15 or so years. " He scored the wine 93-95+/100 and note that the wine from the 2000 vintage sells for around 800 GBP per case. Robert Parker said of the Clos Fourtet: "Irrefutably the greatest wine I have ever tasted from Clos Fourtet, this dense purple-colored 2003 is full-bodied, deep, and chewy with abundant amounts of black currant fruit interwoven with subtle wood, espresso roast, and hints of chocolate as well as roasted meat juices. Long, opulent, and full-bodied, with high glycerin, concentration, and superbly integrated tannin, this beauty is a tour de force in winemaking for Clos Fourtet. It was tasted three separate times with virtually identical notes. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020+." He scored the wine 94-96/100 and is priced at around 330 GBP per case Robert Parker said of the Sociando Mallet: "A great success for this perennial over-achiever, the 2003 Sociando Mallet may be drinkable at an earlier age than most vintages (which normally need 5-10 years of cellaring). Inky/blue/purple to the rim, it boasts a gorgeous perfume of crushed stones, violets, blueberries, and crème de cassis with no evidence of wood. Concentrated fruit, low acidity, and high but sweet tannin give an overall impression of voluptuousness and fleshiness. Long, persistent, and impressive, it is very much in the style of the 1990, without the over-ripeness of that vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020+. Clive Coates liked this wine so much that he put it qualitatively alongside Lafite and Petrus from the 2003 vintage and speculated whether this is the best Sociando ever. I have tasted the 1982, 1986 and the 1990 in more recent times and if the 2003 finally achieves that standard then this wine is a spectacular bargain." He scored the wine 91-94/100 and is priced at around 200 GBP per case, the 1990 sells for around 500 GBP per case. Quite a number of people in the trade have been putting a case or two of the Branaire Ducru aside for their own consumption. That is always a good indication of quality. Robert Parker said of the Branaire Ducru: "A hugely successful effort from this consistent estate, Branaire's 2003 boasts a dense purple colour as well as a big, sweet bouquet of plums, cassis, briary fruit, and hints of violets and minerals. Medium to full-bodied, with well-integrated tannin, outstanding purity, a textured, plump, nicely layered mouthfeel, and low acidity, this 2003 is somewhat reminiscent of the property's brilliant 1982. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020." He scored the wine 92-94/100 and is priced at around 210 GBP per case. If you are looking to put a few cases of inexpensive 2003 claret into cellar for fairly early consumption then you will not go far wrong with Charmail and Villars. Robert Parker said of the Charmail: "The innovative winemaking techniques (a 15-day cold soak and a 4-week maceration) continue. A blend of 48% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the impeccably made 2003 achieved 13.5% natural alcohol. It offers a blue/purple colour, medium to full body, and abundant notes of blueberries, crème de cassis liqueur, smoke, barbecue spices, and vanillin. The wine is fleshy, opulently textured, medium to full-bodied, and pure. Charmail typically needs to be consumed within its first decade of life to take advantage of its exuberant, substantial personality." He scored the wine 88-91/100 and is priced at around 100 GBP per case. Robert Parker said of the Villars: "This impressively constructed, dense ruby/purple-hued Fronsac exhibits a sweet perfume of blueberries and minerals, deep, concentrated flavours, medium body, and a long, moderately tannic finish. With plenty of power as well as low acidity, this heady effort will be at its prime between 2006-2014." He scored the wine 88-91/100 and is priced at around 90 GBP per case. For any of these wines listed above then please get in touch. Château are releasing wines every day so if you want some of the best of the 2003 vintage then please call or email. SELECTION Click to see our selection of over 25 wines, some as a case that you can mix yourself from a superb selection and some in case quantities. They are all virtually all great quality wines at prices well below what other retailer sell them for. The wines are made by very well respected and hugely talented producers from around the world and can be delivered to your door in just a few days, sometimes less than 24 hours! Try us, you will not be disappointed. If you wish to discuss the acquisition or disposal of wine, please complete the form in the Contact section. We are available if you wish to call on the phone number listed below. Call
in to our website at http://dunbarfinewine.co.uk/investment.html
to see for yourself how fine wine has historically been a first-class and consistent
investment, when the wine is sourced from reliable suppliers and not some of the
cowboys that have given our business problems in the past. December
2001 Newsletter - click here | |||
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