The 2003 Pichon-Longueville Baron, a Bordeaux Blend from the Pauillac sub-region of Bordeaux, France, has garnered significant praise from wine critics, highlighting its remarkable qualities. This red wine, produced by Pichon-Longueville Baron, hails from a notably hot vintage, which has influenced its character significantly.
James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive 96 points, describing it as "full-bodied, with big velvety tannins and lots of fruit," and recommending it be opened after 2016. Jeff Leve echoes this sentiment, also awarding it 96 points, noting its "rich, almost opulent texture" and suggesting it is now at a perfect stage for enjoyment.
Wine Spectator similarly praises this Bordeaux blend with a 95-point score, emphasizing its "ripe fruit and berry character" and describing it as "full-bodied and very chewy." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with a score of 94, describes the wine as "a brilliant effort" with "notes of scorched earth, barbecue spices, incense, creme de cassis, and cedarwood," highlighting its long and lush profile.
Neal Martin's Wine Journal also rated the wine at 94 points, noting its "well-defined bouquet with composed blackberry, briary, graphite, and a subtle note of mint." Jeb Dunnuck, who gave it a score of 93, remarked on its "ripe, sexy bouquet of blackcurrants, spice-box, licorice, and tobacco leaf."
Jane Anson underscores the wine's longevity with a 92-point rating, observing its "cinnamon and turmeric spice" and "soft tobacco notes on the finish," still holding strong at 19 years.
Overall, the 2003 Pichon-Longueville Baron stands out for its robust profile, rich fruit character, and impressive aging potential, making it a commendable choice for enthusiasts of Pauillac wines.