(from yields of only 14.5 hl/ha) An incredibly fine and pure aromatic profile that is first and foremost ripe but this does not detract from the usual La Tâche aromatic fireworks as the highly perfumed, seductive, spicy and pungent floral notes makes for an utterly brilliant nose that is a good deal more nuanced than that of the Richebourg. The flavors are presently somewhat understated and while there is superb concentration, I was quite surprised that there is almost a reserve here, even a certain coolness that is extremely rare for a vintage that is essentially generous and overt in basic character. But perhaps what I admire the most here is the transparency, which is again relatively rare in this vintage, and the overall harmony of expression. In short, this is a wine of finesse and purity because even though it is dense, it remains balanced and never heavy. To be sure, this is very ripe with finishing notes of plum, mocha and coffee, it is one powerful wine that possesses huge length and it should be capable of lasting 50 years. This should ultimately be a great La Tâche though whether it can rival such vintages as the '99, '90, '64,'62, '49, '45 and '37, time will tell but it might as there is a huge underlying reservoir of potential here.

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($1029) Bright red-ruby. Wonderfully complex nose melds raspberry, rose petal, truffley underbrush and exotic spices. Then almost shockingly fresh in the mouth, with penetrating and rather delicate flavors of red berries and flowers. Still quite tightly wound but already offers compelling inner-mouth perfume. Finishes with building tannins and outstanding verve.

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Bright quite deep crimson with pale rim. Quite surly on the nose for the moment. Obviously very rich but not yet giving much away. Exotic mulch. No sign of the violets that can sometime show at this stage. Lovely texture and great balance. This one punches at the same weight all the way through the tasting experience; the tannins and fruit seem in perfect harmony. Great integrity and finesse. Is this the triumph of vine age against the extremes of Nature? So confident! Such grace. Lovely finish. Goes on and on and on with lovely delicacy and insistence yet no wimp.

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The 2003 La Tache reveals aromas of milk chocolate, violets, roses, and dark cherries. Suave, displaying massive amplitude and a full-bodied, velvety-textured character, this behemoth's flavor profile brings to mind chocolate-covered black cherries. Immensely powerful and noble, it offers an interminable finish that is packed with flawlessly ripe, sweet tannin.

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