2003 Wine and Port Vintage
Vintage Summary and Recommendations:
Welcome to Vintage Wine and Port's 2003 wine page. Read on for our summary of the 2003 vintage, our top recommendations and region reports. Scroll down to see all of our wines currently available. If you cannot find what you are looking for please call us on 01425 837177 or Contact Us. We would love to help you with your wine choice!
The 2003 vintage was, overall, good. The sizzling heatwave that swept through Europe was easily the most defining hallmark of the vintage. Wines throughout the continent had far riper, fruiter notes than normal with some suffering from overcooked and baked qualities.
Our Wine Expert currently recommends the following wines for this year:
Visit our 2003 Wine and Port Offer Page
This Year in History: Fun Facts: The BBC announces that the hugely popular character Den Watts will return to its soap opera EastEnders, 14 years after he was killed off.
Eurovision Winner: Turkey with the song "Everyway That I Can" by Sertab Erener
Top Grossing Movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Bordeaux: The hot summer months of June and July, followed by an August heatwave, set the Bordeaux 2003 wine vintage apart from recent years. On tasting, the tannins are rather prominent in many wines. Many of the wines, particularly on the left bank, are very 'new world' in style, frequently displaying super-ripe blackberry, plum and cherry characteristics. Sauternes also showed well, with a number having very good freshness alongside a rich weight of residual sugar and botrytis (noble rot). A 2003 Bordeaux, whether dry or sweet, would make a perfect 22 year old wine gift for an anniversary celebration this year.
Italian: In Piedmont, as elsewhere, the heat wave shrivelled grapes and resulted in some unbalanced musts, although the oldest vines in Barolo and Barbaresco managed to withstand the weather and yield some exceptional wines. As for Tuscany, very difficult heat wave conditions were felt in all but the highest vineyards of Chianti Classico. For this reason, Tuscan 2003 wines tend to be fairly unbalanced.
Portugal: A general declaration of vintage, the 2003 produced classic Vintage Port. This year's wines have great traditional tannic structure with attractive ripe fruit flavours.
Spain: The growing season in Spain was made difficult by drought, however those producers who looked after their vines produced excellent, intensely concentrated wines.
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23 products found.
Palmer Port, 2003
Colheita Port, Douro
Special Offer | Save 20% | Was £34.95 | Now £27.96
A 75cl bottle of 2003 vintage Palmer Colheita Port Wine. This is exclusive to Vintage Wine & Port.
The 2003 Palmer Colheita Port represents the art of extended barrel ageing. From the stable of Barao de Vilar which has long history and dedication to quality make their Colheita Ports a highly regarded choice among Port wine enthusiasts. The 2003 vintage offers a rich and complex tasting experience.
Tasting Notes: The 2003 Palmer Colheita Port exhibits a tawny, amber, or brownish hue. The ageing process has added complex notes of dried fruits, nuts, caramel, toffee, spices, and sometimes a hint of chocolate. …
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Price: £27.96
Stock: 23 in Stock
Ryst Dupeyron Armagnac, 2003
Ryst Dupeyron Reserve Joseph Millesime vintage Armagnac
50cl bottle
Includes original cardboard gift box
This Armagnac Réserve Joseph vintage 2003 typically includes traditional Armagnac grapes such as Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Baco Blanc, and Folle Blanche.
Tasting Notes
The 2003 vintage may offer flavours typical of well-aged Armagnac, such as dried fruits (prunes, figs, apricots), spices (vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg), nuts, and potentially some floral or woody notes. The exact profile can vary based on the specific conditions of the 2003 growing season and the aging process.
Serving & Food Pairing
Armagnac is traditionally enjoyed neat, allowing you to fully appreciate its complexity. …
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Price: £46.95
Stock: 15 in Stock
Burmester, 2003
Vintage Port
In Wooden Gift Box
This 2003 Burmester Vintage Port from the very good 2003 Port Vintage has outstanding provenance! This bottle has been stored at the Burmester cellars on Porto since bottling until it was acquired by us earlier this year.
The 2003 Burmester has a dark colour with some lightening on the edge. On the nose there are black cherries intertwined with dark fruits and berries. On the nose it has Morello cherry and dark fruits. Still some tannins as this wine has not quite reached maturity. Good notes and a long finish - one to hold for a few years. 90/100 TC 6/21
…
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Price: £79.95
Stock: 5 in Stock
Burmester, 2003
Colheita Port
Presented in Gift Tube
94 Points- Silver- Decanter
A 2003 vintage tawny port. We are delighted to offer a UK exclusive on Burmester Colheita Ports.
The 2003 Colheita has a Complex nose with dark berries, cress, coffee Full-bodied and great balance. Smooth palate that reflects the nose. This port also features a very good length.
The 2003 Burmester Colheita Port is a classic wine of exceptional quality and elegance. The Port is made from a single harvest (a "Vintage Tawny") and aged in small 550-litre oak barrels in their Vila Nova de Gaia Cellars. It is bottled at least seven years after the harvest.
Burmester has been iconic since 1750. …
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Price: £46.95
Stock: 9 in Stock
J W Hart, 2003
Colheita Port, Douro
This 2003 J W Hart Tawny Colheita is elegant and complex.
Wine makers notes. Deliciously pure and fresh fruit aromas. Persistent notes of fresh cherries and plums, followed by aromas of warm plum and grape jam. In the end, delicious notes of spices and leather. On the palate, the flavors are dominated by very ripe black fruit showing great concentration and remarkable richness, leading to a powerful finish fueled by flavors of spices, ripe cherries and chocolate The tannins are so well coated that 'we hardly feel them, but we can guess their imposing concentration.
Colheita Port Storage and Serving Advice:
Colheita Port should be stored in a cool and dry place, …
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Price: £39.95
Stock: 15 in Stock
Kopke, 2003
Colheita Port, Douro
Silver Medal, IWC 2022
Silver Medal, Decanter 2022
A 2003 vintage Colheita Port Wine from Kopke Port. The 2003 Kopke Single Harvest has an intense red colour with a tawny halo. Presents a complex bouquet of dried fruits, standing-out the spicy notes. Sophisticated and delicate in taste. Good structure, well-balanced acidity and a pleasant unctuousness. Long and persistent finish.
Enjoy this exemplary port lightly chilled with fruity desserts like tarte tatin, creme brulée or Christmas pudding, even rich chocolate mousse. The classic pairing of Stilton cheese is also excellent, as are ripe tropical fruits.
Kopke Port is the oldest port house. …
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Price: £44.95
Stock: 9 in Stock
Kopke, 2003
Vintage Port, Douro
In original Kopke Gift Box
The 2003 Kopke Vintage Port still has a very dark core with a little lightning on the edge. Familiar Kopke notes of dark cherries and red fruits,. On the palate quite mature for its age and setting down nicely for the next decade or so. Jammy fruit and red berries - medium mouthfeel and a fresh, long finish. Very good. TC VWP 91/100 6/21
A 2003 vintage port wine. Kopke Port is the oldest port house. Established in 1638 by Nicolau Kopke and his son Cristiano, who came to Portugal as representatives of the Hanseatic League, the House has been run through the generations by several representatives of the Kopke family, obtaining an excellent reputation for its wines. …
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Price: £74.95
Stock: 3 in Stock
Kopke, 2003
White Colheita Port, Douro In Kopke branded box Silver Medal, Decanter 2022
A 2003 vintage Port Wine. The 2003 Kopke White port has a cool, light-amber color. This unique white colheita derives from the traditional white grapes of the Porto e Douro region. Starting with aromas of a Pear Clafouti and burnt sugar, this elegant port delivers luscious flavors of Japanese pear-apple, with accents of hazelnut, nutmeg and orange zest. The lingering grapefruit finish provides the perfect balance for the sweetness.
Food Pairing:
Shows finesse and sophistication when combined with caramel desserts, dried fruits and spices, like caramel fondant with apple and ginger jelly, tatin tart, burnt cream and Cheeses of minimum intensity. …
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Price: £59.95
Stock: 5 in Stock
Messias, 2003
Colheita Port, Douro
*** 91 Points - Revista de Vinhos ***
The 2003 Messias Colheita Port is a well-aged expression of a dated Port, showcasing a harmonious blend of fruitiness, sweetness, and complexity. Its decadent flavours and smooth texture make it a delightful treat for tawny and colheita Port wine enthusiasts.
Tasting notes:
This cask-aged Port shows aromas of dried fruits, spices, and vanilla. The palate is rich and velvety, with sweet flavours like caramel, toffee, and dark chocolate. Intense fruitiness with jammy prunes and dates, and walnut undertones. Balanced acidity provides freshness amidst sweetness, and a long, lingering finish with warmth from the alcohol content. …
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Price: £39.95
Stock: 29 in Stock
Barbera d'Asti, 2003
La Caplana Rubis
Barbera is a wine of prestige, rich colors that refer generally to the ruby purple, just what clothes cardinals; the bouquet is ample and composite, with fruity notes of blackberry, cherry, strawberry and red fruit jam and spicy aromas reminiscent of cinnamon, vanilla, green pepper.
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Price: £29.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Calem Port, 2003
Vintage Port, Douro
In Original Gift Box
***89 Points- Wine Enthusiast***
The Calem Vintage Port 2003 is a vibrant ruby red in colour with hints of brick. Conspicuous aromas of rich and sweet fruit on the nose with suggestions of plum and strawberry. Lovely balance between power and finesse with a silky texture and beautifully sustained flavours.
Learn more about Calem
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Price: £64.95
Stock: 11 in Stock
Chateau de Fargues, 2003
Sauternes
The 2003 Château de Fargues is a remarkable wine from the Sauternes appellation in Bordeaux, France. Château de Fargues, owned by the Lur-Saluces family (former proprietors of Château d’Yquem), is renowned for producing exceptional sweet wines that are both opulent and long-lived. The 2003 vintage stands out for its intensity and concentration, thanks to the extreme heat that marked this year.
Wine Overview
The 2003 Château de Fargues is crafted primarily from:
Sémillon: Contributing richness, depth, and honeyed complexity.
Sauvignon Blanc: Adding freshness, aromatic lift, and vibrant acidity. …
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Price: £69.95
Stock: 3 in Stock
Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 2003
Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe
100 Points
Excellent provenance
The 2003 Lafite Rothschild comes as close to perfection as any of the great Lafites made over the past three decades (1982, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010). This sensational effort came in at 12.7% natural alcohol, it is made in the style of one of this estates great classics, the 1959. Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color to the rim along with a luxurious bouquet of cedarwood, lead pencil shaving, white chocolate, cocoa and cassis. Fat, rich, opulent and full-bodied with low acidity and stunning seductiveness and complexity, this noble wine possesses a bountiful, generous, heady style. …
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Price: £1,095.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Chateau Prieure-Lichine, 2003
Margaux, 4th Growth Classification
Château Prieuré-Lichine's 2003 vintage from the Margaux appellation reflects the unique characteristics of that year's growing season. The wine presents a deep, dark ruby color, nearing opacity. On the nose, it offers aromas of ripe, raisined fruit, licorice, sweet spice, baked earth, and subtle herbaceous notes reminiscent of garrigue and mint.
On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with soft, round textures. Flavors of blackberries, plums, and cherries are complemented by hints of tobacco, earth, and vanilla. The tannins are fine, and the wine maintains fresh acidity, leading to a finish that includes a slight meaty note. …
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Price: £69.95
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chianti, 2003
F.lli Grati
Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
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Price: £49.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Grignolino, 2003
Tenuta La Tenaglia
The Grignolino wine have a light ruby red color, tending to orange with aging. Have a characteristic odor and delicate in the mouth are dry, slightly tannic, bitter pleasant, with a characteristic aftertaste.
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Price: £29.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Hooper's Port, 2003
Colheita Port
The 2003 Hooper's Colheita Port is a single-vintage tawny port from Portugal's Douro Valley. "Colheita" refers to a tawny port made from grapes harvested in a specific year and aged in wooden casks for a minimum of seven years before bottling.
Tasting Notes: This port offers a rich profile with notes of dark fruits, such as blackberries, complemented by hints of raisins and coffee.
Serving Suggestions: Best enjoyed slightly chilled, between 14°C and 16°C. It pairs well with desserts like almond tart, crème brûlée, or dried fruit compotes, and complements blue cheeses. Alternatively, it can be savored on its own as a dessert wine. …
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Price: £32.50
Stock: 37 in Stock
Nero d'Avola, 2003
Cassine di Pietra
Very forward nose of leather and cherries, liquorice wild strawberries, ripe plums and pencil .The palate is very nice balance of sweet fruit and acidity.
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Price: £29.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Ornellaia, 2003
Bolgheri Superiore, Ornellaia
The Bolgheri from Tenuta dell'Ornellaia has an intense ruby colour, and on the nose with intensely fruity and spicy notes of great pleasure. On the palate it is broad, round and free of sharp edges, with smooth tannins. It hides behind a generous and sumptuous structure, in a long-lasting finish.
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Price: £289.00
Stock: 5 in Stock
Quinta do Poco do Lobo, 2003
Quinta Poço do Lobo, Bairrada Cabernet Sauvignon - Reserva
Caves S. Joao, established in 1920, became a dominant force in Portuguese wine making in the early 20th century with their houses Porta dos Cavaleiros in Dao and Frei Joao in Bairrada. Given the shifting trends in consumer preferences, Bairrada and Dao fell to obscurity in the 1990s when critical influence drove the demand for bigger, extracted, warmer climate wines. As in all things, however, what comes around goes around! Sure enough, 20 years later savvy consumers and food-conscious sommeliers are looking for finesse and freshness and heading back to Bairrada and Dao. Wines that when young had a vegetal character, …
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Price: £59.00
Stock: 47 in Stock
Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 2003
Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux
100 Points
Excellent provenance
The 2003 Lafite Rothschild comes as close to perfection as any of the great Lafites made over the past three decades (1982, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010). This sensational effort came in at 12.7% natural alcohol, it is made in the style of one of this estates great classics, the 1959. Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color to the rim along with a luxurious bouquet of cedarwood, lead pencil shaving, white chocolate, cocoa and cassis. Fat, rich, opulent and full-bodied with low acidity and stunning seductiveness and complexity, this noble wine possesses a bountiful, generous, heady style. …
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Price: £1,095.00
Stock: Out of Stock
Taylor Fladgate, 2003
Late Bottled Vintage Port
This is still going strong, bursting with damsons, blackcurrants, raisins and figs. Full-bodied, rich and sweet. The alcohol content was a little too harsh and assertive early on, becoming better-integrated with time and air.
Learn more about Taylor’s
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Price: £34.95
Stock: Out of Stock