Vintages 2003

Wine Advocate #170 - Apr 2007

Score : 96

The awesome 2003 St.-Joseph Vignes des Hospices came in at 15% natural alcohol, which is easily disguised by the inky purple color along with the nose of graphite, scorched earth, blackberry, cassis, and hints of raspberry, violets, and truffle. Remarkably full-bodied, but at the same time light on its feet with an elegance and finesse that are almost eerie for a wine of this enormous weight and richness, this is a legendary wine made from yields that were 60% lower than usual! It should evolve for 20-30+ years. Drink: 2007 - 2037. Robert Parker.

Wine Spectator - Oct 15, 2006

Score: 95

Lots of sweet spice and mocha-infused toast, but also plenty of black currant, fig, game, bacon and briar. Long, velvety, exotic finish drips with fruit, but has great underlying, iron-fisted grip. Combines tremendous power and finesse. Drink now through 2020. 200 cases made. Designation: Highly Recommended. James Molesworth.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - Jan/Feb 06

Score : 92-94

Inky, saturated violet color. Cherry and minerals dominate the nose, with pungent notes of violet, meat and iron. Densely packed and chewy, with the strong cherry and mineral elements joined by suggestions of bitter chocolate and espresso. I'd have identified this as a Graves wine if it had been served blind. Concentrated, sweet and long on the finish, hinting at gingerbread and raw meat. This 2.3-hectare site, directly across the Rhone from Hermitage Les Bessards and created at the same time, is pure granite. Effectively, notes Philippe, this is a single geographic formation, 60% of which is in Hermitage, 20% under the river and the other 20% in Saint-Joseph. Josh Raynolds.