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Tasting notes
The 2003 Altair opens with a tired nose of oxidizing fruits and creamy remnants of new oak. The palate is sweet and concentrated, concluding with a drying, powdery finish dominated by cocoa flavors. While this seems like it was once a highly stylized, quality wine, it likely saw its peak within its first decade.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Carmenère, 12% Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. 100% new oak. Much sweeter cassis on the nose and then wonderful dark minerality and freshness. Intense bitter chocolate on the finish. Long and cool like a shady room on a hot day. (JH)
The first wine of the estate, Altair, is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2003 Altair is dark ruby with an excellent perfume of pain grille, spice box, red currants and black currants. This is followed by a supple wine with light tannins made in an elegant style. The flavors are ripe and the oak, tannin, and acidity are well-integrated. Give this Bordeaux look-alike 2-3 years of bottle aging and drink it through 2025. Importer: Prestige Chateaux & Domaines, Miami, FL; tel. (305) 406-2150
Deep ruby. Assertive, pungent aromas of cherry, cassis, bitter chocolate and espresso, with a complicating note of mint. Firm in structure but with a very sweet cherry flavor that expands with air. Quite juicy and vibrant, with fine, dusty tannins and impressive concentration. Finishes with notes of mocha and licorice.
About the producer
Product details
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah / Shiraz
Red
Dry