So much milk chocolate and dark fruits on the nose. Full-bodied, with chewy, almost dusty tannins. Some might call it a little coarse on the palate. It needs some more time, but turns to loads of milk chocolate on the finish. Pull the cork in 2013.

James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, May 29th 2012

This estate's grand vin and second wine have both benefited immensely from stricter selections. The 2003 vintage's heat and drought stressed this vineyard's light soils, resulting in an atypical Palmer. The 2003 Palmer possesses a dark ruby/purple color, high, austere tannins, less flesh and mid-palate than usual, medium body, and a flowery black currant-scented bouquet. It lacks the extra dimension required aromatically, texturally, and flavor-wise to achieve their normal quality level. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020.

Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #164 April 2006

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's '10-Year On' tasting in London. I have never been a fan of this vintage for one of the appellations greatest estates and time is not benefitting it at all. The Palmer '03 is showing a slight over-ripeness on the nose: mulberry, prune, raisin and earthy aromas. It just feels a little flat. The palate is medium-bodied with very ripe, grainy fruit. The acidity is low and the wine is missing tension and structure towards the finish. It just seems a little simplistic. This seems to be fading. Tasted March 2013.

Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2013

Tasted at the Château Palmer vertical in London, the magnum of 2003 Château Palmer is clearly more advanced in colour than the 2000. It is missing a little fruit intensity on the nose: warm gravel and dried flowers make the first impression, a touch of truffle with time. The palate is medium-bodied with cassis and liquorice on the entry, plenty of glycerine, but nowhere near the tension or complexity of 2000, 2005 or 2010. Viscous and generous on the finish, this is a serviceable Palmer, but one that was clearly compromised by that infamous summer that favored the more clayey soils further north in the Médoc. Tasted May 2015.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 29 May 2016