2003 Chevalier Montrachet La Cabotte
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Tasting notes
Knockout nose combines crushed stone, pineapple, hawthorn and rose petal; wonderfully pure and subtle. Then equally aromatic in the mouth, with subtly sweet flavors similar to the aromas. Delivers a remarkable combination of intensity and finesse. The mounting finish goes on and on. Like the Corton-Charlemagne, this is extremely young. The grapes here were less golden in color than most in 2003, noted Hervet.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2003 Chevalier-Montrachet La Cabotte (domaine-white) – produced from a parcel located next to the refurbished vineyard-worker’s hut easily spotted over Montrachet – soars from the glass with sappy mineral richness. Substantially better than this firm’s regular Chevalier-Montrachet bottling, it is medium-bodied, broad, and fleshy. This well-balanced offering has outstanding depth, power, and length. Its concentrated core of fruit coats the palate with liquefied minerals, toast, fresh herbs (sage and thyme), as well as pears. This wine stood in such sharp contrast to everything else I had tasted at Bouchard that I was awestruck. Projected maturity: 2007-2015. Importer: Clicquot, Inc., New York, NY; tel. (212) 888-7575
Very minerally aromas of apple, iodine and baking spices. Thick and densely packed but quite closed; comes across as more classically dry than the "regular" Chevalier-Montrachet, as well as more difficult to taste today. But this has terrific verve and a very long and impressively suave finish. Director Hervet, who calls 2003 a great vintage for Chevalier-Montrachet, says that this will ultimately top the last wine, but today it's not obvious.
About the producer
Bouchard Père & Fils is one of Burgundy’s oldest and most established wine producers. Founded in 1731 by Michel Bouchard, it is the largest vineyard owner in the Côte d’Or with 130 hectares of vines.