This vintage comes from the famously hot 2003 season, and it shows in the wine’s power and richness. Bursting with notes of sweet tobacco, plum, cassis, and smoky cedar, it’s full-bodied, velvety, and bold—definitely a wine with presence. The tannins are still firm but balanced by lush fruit and a warm, smooth finish. A bit more muscular than refined, but aging beautifully. A solid Pauillac that delivers depth and satisfaction, especially if you like your reds big and bold.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 96
Published: Mar 13, 2011

Sweet tobacco and plum with hints of leather and cassis on the nose. Full bodied, with big velvety tannins and lots of fruit. Very rich and powerful, even chewy. Give this some time to mellow out. Pull the cork after 2016. Find the wine 

The Wine Advocate | RP 94
Published: Aug 28, 2014
Drink: 2014-2022

A brilliant effort, this 2003 displays a vigorous, intact, deep blue/purple color as well as notes of scorched earth, barbecue spices, incense, creme de cassis and cedarwood. Long, lush, medium to full-bodied, round and generous, this opulent Pauillac can be drunk now and over the next 5-8 years. 

Decanter | D 91
Published: Nov 12, 2017
Drink: 2018-2028

2003 was the year of the killer heatwave, and vines on shallow soils shrivelled under the onslaught, giving baked, raisiny wines. Pauillac has more clay, and thus moisture, so the vines suffered less stress. The nose is burly, hefty, and smoky, although still reserved. It's rich in the mouth, with dense tannins and heft rather than finesse. It lacks sucrosity and some freshness and flair, but it's not drying or flabby like so many 2003s. A powerful wine with a long, solid and sinewy finish.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 16.5
Published: Mar 27, 2023
Drink: 2012-2028

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot. Aged 15 months in oak barrels (70% new).
Red to brick-red colour. Two bottles tasted, the first less expressive. Second bottle, richer on the nose but not overly detailed. Some sweetness to the palate provides a supple, gourmand edge. Tannins hard and grainy behind but sufficient flesh to temper them. Warmth of the vintage evident. Holding up but unlikely to gain more complexity.

Pichonbaron.com 

Château Pichon Baron 2003 has a deep colour with flashes of purple. An already readable nose of blackberries and blackcurrant. Smooth and voluminous on the palate, with a perfectly well blended woodiness. Harmonious, juicy, fine tannins. A clear, elegant, nonaggressive finish. A flattering wine which will please all newcomers but its breed and distinction will delight connoisseurs. A great bottle from a vintage marked by the heat wave. Rigorous selection has made it possible to craft a truly aristocratic wine with a great future ahead of it.
Jean-René Matignon - Technical Director - February 2016

Blend
65% Cabernet-sauvignon; 35% Merlot

Ageing
70 % in new barrels, 30 % from barrels of one vintage for 15 months