I tasted a wine today that reminded me how out of whack and crazy the 2003 vintage was all over Europe. Recently I wrote about a Bordeaux, Chateau La Vieille Cure , from 2004. A very elegant, complex Bordeaux with a lot of style. Today I tried the 2003 and it was a monster! Very rich right off the bat. It did not develop after being open. This wine is the Bordeaux for the California Cabernet set. It was delicious, big, and bold, and for $35, one of the best values compared to prices for “top” California Cabernet.

Both wines were very enjoyable, but different in many striking ways. I’ll stick to 2004 in Bordeaux.