"Finish is soooo long. I've had many of these and this is always a treat."

"Perfect cork and level... classic Margaux nose, cassis and violet with some minerality, graphite and cigar box... fullish, long, very persistent, fine concentration... velvet texture... much upside here, 25+ years."

"Tasted next to a 2003 Latour. The Margaux had the better nose... Deep ruby/garnet, violet, plum, cherry, wet stones... long finish. A developing wine that was outstanding."

"One of the best bouquets and aromatic nose of any Bordeaux I have ever experienced, truly mesmerising... How did Margaux produce such a balanced beauty in this hot 2003 vintage? Truly in a perfect drinking window now."

"Bought on release, bottle and cork in pristine condition... The fruit is incredibly fresh and vibrant... This is full of energy, with nice acidity despite the heatwave year."

"Elegant, focused and balanced... dark cherry, red currant, crème de cassis... Present but well integrated tannins. Drinking beautiful right now."

"This is regal... First growth quality all day long... Literally one of the best smelling wines... the bottle was in absolute perfect shape. So polished, so integrated... a great wine."

"Drinking very well right now... Aromatically full, velvety, round, ripe and long." — and that was a decade ago. It has only gotten better.

"One of the success stories of the vintage. Not overblown, too ripe, hot or out of balance, this is a beauty. Aromatically it's packed with blackberries, dried flowers, violets and spice, while the lush, voluptuous palate gently coats your taste receptors with creamy tannins and layers of sweet ripe fruits. Drink from 2026-2045." Jul 2026

"This was the finest performance by this wine that I have seen since it was released. I did not expect the 2003 Chateau Margaux to show this well in a vintage where the southern part of the Medoc was clearly less impressive than the north. However, it is a beautiful, dark plum/purple-tinged effort with sensational aromatics, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and a youthfulness, precision and freshness that belie what one generally associates with this vintage. It can be drunk now and over the next 15-20 years. Kudos to Chateau Margaux." Aug 2014

"This is a wonderful surprise. Showing an amazing nose of dried raspberries, strawberries, and flowers. On the palate this wine is full bodied, with pretty framed fruit and silky tannins. This wine is deep and wonderful, with scores of complexity... fascinating stuff. This is drinking like an old classic right now, but could still use five years in the bottle. Don't pull the cork until at least 2015 to see it's true glory."

"This monumental wine boasts a super-ripe bouquet of fig, plum and blackberry fruit, with cedar, pepper and earth notes. The spice from the cask ageing is present but integrated. The body is rich, the texture is firmly tannic but not unapproachable, and a well-proportioned sense of balance suggests this will age for decades to come. An ample demonstration that torrid years such as 2003 can produce wines of lasting beauty. Drinking Window: 2023-2070." Jul 2023

"A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2003 Chateau Margaux has a deep garnet color, with a touch of brick. It springs from the glass with surprisingly spritely notes of blackcurrant jelly, baked plums, and star anise, giving way to an undercurrent of Sichuan pepper, kirsch, unsmoked cigars, cedar, dried roses, and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate is completely filled with ripe, expressive black fruits and perfumed floral and exotic spice layers, framed by very firm, sturdy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy. ‘In 2003 we were tempted to correct, but we didn't,’ commented current managing director Philippe Bascaules, who was working with the late managing director Paul Pontallier in 2003. ‘I think it is better not to help nature but to permit.’ This 2003 is delicious now, yet it has the stuffing to cellar for another 20+ years." Nov 2024

"Shows a note of torréfaction typical of the vintage, but uses it to its advantage, coupling it with accents of ganache and dark tobacco leaf along with rich plum, currant and fig compote flavors. The finish is slightly firm, with alder and plum skin details, but this has pretty impressive composure considering the vintage. -- Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Drink now through 2035." Feb 2018