At the time of the harvest which took place on September 1st, it seemed to us that the weather conditions had been less advantageous for the ripening of the Sauvignon than for the red grape varieties: the acidity was very low, and sugar levels were lower than the two previous vintages. The first tastings after the end of the fermentations were also rather disappointing; the wines showed little in the way of aromas and on the palate they were quite short. As the barrel-ageing proceeded, the nose evolved, becoming more refined and today it is particularly attractive. They have also gained an extra dimension on the palate, which we had not expected and have almost taken on the fatness and length we find in great vintages. What a pleasant surprise! It is the first time we have seen a white wine develop in this way before our very eyes. The wine can be drunk now, but there is no hurry (October 2018)
Margaux
Climate
2003 was a very early vintage which will above all be remembered for its exceptionally hot summer weather. Such conditions, which at times were described as extreme, caused many questions to be asked and sometimes gave rise to concerns; however, the greatest terroirs fared remarkably well, producing grapes of perfectly balanced ripeness.
The picking began on September 10, as in 1989, which was the earliest vintage since 1893.