Incredibly youthful color for an almost 20-year-old wine with no bricking or even lightening. Remarkably cool and discreetly mentholated aromas that one would hardly guess are the product of one of the hottest vintages on record. The powerful, dense and exceptionally opulent big-bodied flavors culminate in a borderline chewy, solidly compact and firmly tannic finish that despite the prominent structure, evidences outstanding length. The 2003 produced a robust and muscular RC that is still at least a decade away from its peak and perhaps even longer. I would note that even with four plus hours of air, there was essentially no change save for developing a hint of finishing dryness that may or may not become more prominent with age - I suspect not but it is a question mark going forward. I would note that the '03 RC is indisputably impressive in its sheer scale and density though I confess that it's not my favorite stylistically.

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