ROBERT PARKER (90 points) Although one of the appellation’s more tannic 2004s, the tannin is beautifully balanced by sweet black currant fruit, spring flower, camphor, and licorice notes. This impeccably well-made, medium-bodied Margaux reveals a lovely integration of acidity, tannin, and wood. Give it 2-3 years of bottle age, and drink it over the following two decades. This estate appears to be performing at a high quality level over recent vintages.

"From a mixture of sand, gravel, and clay soils, this unheralded terroir produces wines well-above its pedigree thanks to the extraordinary efforts of proprietors Chantal and Gerard Perse. The wines are given a 4- to 5-week maceration in both stainless steel and oak, and are aged sur-lie in new oak. The dark ruby/purple-colored 2003 offers up notes of smoky meats, melted licorice, jammy black cherries, spice box, earth, and cedar. This plump, fleshy, sexy, unfined, unfiltered wine represents a classic blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon." Wine Advocate

Surprisingly soft (a characteristic of this low acid, ripe year), the 2003 Smith-Haut-Lafitte displays a deep plum/purple color as well as an attractive perfume of roasted coffee, spice box, earth, and copious quantities of red and black fruits. As it sits in the glass, scents of white chocolate and coffee emerge. With low acidity and ripe fruit (the jammy black currant and cherry characteristics reveal unexpected freshness), this evolved Pessac-Leognan is best consumed between 2005-2014. Robert Parker 92