Chateau Le Calvaire 2003

Domaine: Chateau le Calvaire
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux Superieur
Vintage: 2003
Style: Red
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Declared Alcohol (on label): 13%
Approximate Price: $17/bottle
Date Reviewed: 6/19/2009
Reviewed By: Galen Ricci

Appearance:
This red wine was clear with a deep ruby core moving to a medium ruby rim. Almost no watery edge, which would indicate some age on the wine. The legs were average size, with average movement

Nose:
The nose was clean with no traces of corkage, or oxidization. The aromas had a medium intensity, with a developing profile. The characteristics were: Bell pepper, spicy pepper (jalapeno, green chilies), Dusty, and a touch of oak (possibly older oak)

Palate:
The wine was dry, had medium to medium - acid, medium tannins, medium alcohol, medium body, and medium flavor intensity. The flavors were: Dusty, green pepper, pencil shavings, and slight dark fruits (but so slight it was hard to discern the exact fruits). The wine maintained a solid medium - length.

Conclusion:
The overall quality of the wine was acceptable. Since its a left bank Bordeaux Superieur the cost is mid-priced. This wine is at its peak and should be consumed soon.


Authors Notes:
This wine was kinda boring, although it was balanced and nothing was wrong with it, it lacked any sort of fruit and excitement. In fact there was almost no fruit, the tannins were focused on the front of the palate, and the length was too short for a 2003 left bank bordeaux. Although it might still have some life left, I dont think its going to hang on much longer in the bottle. I would be confident in saying this wine was one dimensional and didnt really have much to say for itself. I could see this wine as basic bordeaux glass pour for around $7/glass at a restaurant, but again thats because there was nothing really wrong with the wine. It just doesnt stand up to other bordeauxs in the same price range. If this wine was in the 12-15 dollar range I might get a little more excited about it, but it really doesnt have a lot going for it, where many other wines from that region, and in the same price range, have a lot more going on. I would rate this wine 86+ points.