Vintages 2003

Wine Advocate  # 163 - Feb 2006 

Score : 88

The 2003 Cotes du Rhone (60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and the rest Mourvedre and other grapes) represents a home run for Marcel Guigal and his talented son, Philippe. A deep ruby color is followed by a spicy, earthy bouquet revealing scents of creme de cassis, wild herbs, kirsch, and blackberries. Dense, medium-bodied, and lightly tannic, it is a surprisingly big, substantial Cotes du Rhone in keeping with the finest efforts of the vintage. As I wrote last year, Marcel Guigal, who is not given to over-statements or hyperbole, thinks 2003 is the greatest vintage for the Northern Rhone in his lifetime. Robert Parker.

Wine Spectator - Sep 30, 2005

Score: 87

Tight now, this is a fairly structured Côtes du Rhône, with muscular black cherry and toast flavors followed by tar, vanilla and tobacco on the finish. Needs brief cellaring to round into form. Drink now through 2006. 50,000 cases imported. James Molesworth.