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Average Scores of all Estates within a Region

The above chart represents the average of the scores gathered by all the Bordeaux wineries by wine growing region (AOC in French). This table is expressed on a relative 100 scale. Thus, the regions are compared in relative to the best region with a 100 points value. For more details on a specific chateau, please use our search engine at the right hand's side of each page. This tool is extremely useful to pick the best wines at Bordeaux Futures offerings and wine auctions.  

An extraordinary summer has produced an extraordinary vintage! Between April and September there were only 248 millimetres of rain in Bordeaux which is the second lowest ever recorded – the record belongs to 1961. However, sunshine levels and temperatures beat all previous statistics hands down. The old record for average summer temperature was held by 1976 with 19 degrees celsius but in 2003 the average was 20.5 degrees. (Farr Vintners)

Bordeaux faired somewhat better than most. A wetter and cooler than average winter provide water reserves helping to avoid drought conditions. Also the summer heat built up over several months, May was warm, June and July, glorious, so by the time the temperature reached 38 degrees and higher in August the vines had begun to prepare themselves. Bordeaux was also fortunate to see more rain than most other regions, albeit considerably below average. The vineyards on clayey soils with effectively poor drainage faired much better than those on sandier soils, where many properties experienced a ‘shut down’ – starved of water the vine growth and progression was stunted for upto two weeks during August. (Will Gardener)

Normally, Bordeaux experiences about 20 summer days with temperatures above 30 degrees but this year there were 53 such days. In August temperatures averaged nearly 30 degrees and on four separate days the thermometers hit 40 degrees (104 degrees F). Quite simply, it was the hottest summer ever. The results of this heatwave were low yields (about 35% down on average), record degrees of sugar content, dark colours and ripe tannins. (Farr Vintners)

Fine weather continued throughout September and into October, with intermittent showers, providing nourishment to the Cabernet crop still on the vines. Those properties that had reduced yields were beginning to realise just how well their grapes were developing. (Will Gardener)

Much of the Merlot crop on the right bank was harvested early in September under the pressure of high, rising alcohol and low acidity readings. The weather proved increasingly kind to those properties which took the risk and waited; they were able to harvest their grapes at their own pace in fine but cooler conditions allowing the vines time to progress to fuller ripeness and increased acidity. (Will Gardener)

Thanks to the extreme heat and consequent dryness, the grapes were unusually small and the ratio of skin and pips to juice was unusually high. As for actual alcohol levels in the finished wines, there were many with a hot, alcoholic finish, especially on the right bank. As sugars rose, acids fell, to record low levels, leading some consultant oenologists to advise their clients to add extra acidity to the fermentation vat. Special permission was sought. In a few cases this was disastrous since acid levels rose once both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations had been completed. (Jancis Robinson)

2003 has one of the highest proportion of outstanding wines. More than 30 Chateaux have average scores higher to 90/100. In comparison, 22 properties had hit the 90+ mark in 2002, 17 in 2001, 28 in 2000 and 19 in 1999. The Standard deviation's measurements of scores are generally low, meaning that a consensus was found between critics on the wine's quality. Interesting to note that less Chateaux have had their wines reviewed in 2003: -10% year over year. Could this mean that some owners have finally decided to withdraw from the En Primeurs tastings due to quality concerns? 

As a whole, the winning appellation is Sauternes Barsac - another great vintage following the great 2001 for sweet white wines. Sauternes-Barsac is closely followed by the Northern left bank trio - Pauillac, Saint-Estephe and Saint-Julien. Interesting so notice that the Medoc's more Southern appellations Pessac-Leognan Graves and Margaux, have, on averave done quite poorly in comparison. Thanks to some compelling wines, Right bank Saint Emilion and Pomerol have finally done much better than expected amid a very tricky environment for early maturing Merlot grapes.

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This year we have statistically estimated the effect of the critics' scores on the price - or "Score Effect". This measure is particularly strong in 2003 with an average +11% price increase for each additional scoring point. In comparison, the Score Effect was +12% in 2002 and 2001, +15% in 2000, +9% in 1999, +12% in 1998 and finally +10% in 1997. 

The best wines on both sides of the river are showing fabulous potential in this amazing vintage. It is a pleasure to taste such ripe fruit and polished tannins. The striking feature of this vintage is the proportionality and balance of the wines, the characteristics necessary to create a flawless bottle. It also can be said that the wines, across the board, had balanced acidity and delicious ripe fruit. (Alan Duran)

The best-performing wineries have produced some sensational wines, with many surpassing their outstanding 2000s and some claiming to have made their greatest wines ever. However some chateaux were less successful at harnessing last summer’s fearsome heat and have produced wines with cooked fruit and low acidity. (Simon Staples)

Winemega's precise and mathematical approach, provides the best wine picks with perfect objectivity and total independence.


Alain Bringolf for Winemega

Thanks to the following Contributors for their comments on the vintage:
- Jancis Robinson
- Will Gardener
- Simon Staples
- Alan Duran
- Farr Vintners 

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