le Crock 2003

This is the finest effort I have yet seen from this beautiful chateau, situated on a sweeping hillside with a river, swans, and a Walt Disney-like structure. Le Crock is owned by the Cuvelier family, which has done a great job at Leoville-Poyferre. The 2003 has benefited from being a St.-Estephe, the most consistent appellation of the vintage. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by gorgeous aromas of black currants, blackberries, licorice, smoke, and earth. A heady, alcoholic personality, fleshy mouthfeel, medium to full body, and low acidity make for a hedonistic, satisfying, long, concentrated claret. A sleeper of the vintage, it should be consumed during its first 10-12 years of life.