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Chateau Mouton Rothschild,
For laying down,
This is truly a masterpiece.A majestic, complex, rich, intoxicating nose with exciting, racy,pure cassis notes leads on to a sublime, multi, multi-layered palate with a precise, cool, silky core of the ripest blackcurrants with a generous dollop of double cream.This really is a spectacular, flawless wine that not only rivals the other 2005 First Growths but surpasses 2 or 3 of them. Whether this is as great as the 1928 or 1945 is just too soon to call, but this will definitely be one of the greatest cases you might ever have in your cellar. Awe-inspiring!
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou,
For laying down,
In 2005 Ducru has included much more Merlot than usual but this has not produced the fruit bomb that some expected, but rather, immense elegance. The nose is serious and restrained providing little hint of the layers of luscious raspberry and blackberry fruit lying underneath. This has all the charm and chunkiness of classic St Julien but with an added seductiveness from the extra Merlot.. There is a lovely freshness to the wine along with complexity, balance and fine, supple tannins. The cellar master of 30 years thinks it is the best Ducru he has seen and who are we to argue!
Ready, but will improve,
Unlike Right Bank Bordeaux properties, Special Cuveés are a rare phenomenon in the Médoc. Ch. Palmer do a limited XIXth Century blend (but that incorporates grapes from the northern Rhône as well) and though there have been occasional experimental releases from a few other châteaux there is certainly nothing we know of that compares with this very fine, limited production special cuvée from Ch. Sociando-Mallet - Cuvee Jean Gautreau.
Jean Gautreau purchased Ch. Sociando-Mallet in 1969 and rescued it from a period of inconsistency turning it into one of the most popular Cru Bourgeois on the market today. In 1995, driven by a quest for quality, Jean Gautreau and his team decided to select the fifteen best barrels from the vintage to make a special cuvée blend made with a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (approx. 80%) than the regular château bottling (approx. 60%). The total volume is only 1% of the production of the whole estate and hence is very rarely seen in the market
The wines of Ch. Sociando-Mallet are traditionally weighty, firm and well-structured, rich in fruit with excellent ageing potential and Cuvée Jean Gautreau is simply a different expression of this style but with an extra step up in quality and ageability.
As Jean Gautreau says: "I have a superb terroir which I want to express in the wine. I try to make a classic Médoc for long keeping."
A result of the remarkable 2005 vintage, this wine offers the hallmarks of the year with excellent concentration of fruit, ripe yet structured tannins and a lovely freshness throughout. Eleven years on and this is starting to display some secondary characteristics, yet there remains a lovely core of black berry fruit, complemented with notes of bramble and damson.
A slight creaminess to the texture, there is great richness across the palate which holds through to a long finish. Great structu
Jean Gautreau purchased Ch. Sociando-Mallet in 1969 and rescued it from a period of inconsistency turning it into one of the most popular Cru Bourgeois on the market today. In 1995, driven by a quest for quality, Jean Gautreau and his team decided to select the fifteen best barrels from the vintage to make a special cuvée blend made with a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (approx. 80%) than the regular château bottling (approx. 60%). The total volume is only 1% of the production of the whole estate and hence is very rarely seen in the market
The wines of Ch. Sociando-Mallet are traditionally weighty, firm and well-structured, rich in fruit with excellent ageing potential and Cuvée Jean Gautreau is simply a different expression of this style but with an extra step up in quality and ageability.
As Jean Gautreau says: "I have a superb terroir which I want to express in the wine. I try to make a classic Médoc for long keeping."
A result of the remarkable 2005 vintage, this wine offers the hallmarks of the year with excellent concentration of fruit, ripe yet structured tannins and a lovely freshness throughout. Eleven years on and this is starting to display some secondary characteristics, yet there remains a lovely core of black berry fruit, complemented with notes of bramble and damson.
A slight creaminess to the texture, there is great richness across the palate which holds through to a long finish. Great structu
Ready, but will keep,
"Even considering some of the great vintages produced under the late Alexis Lichine, this estate has never made a wine as impressive as their 2005. Consultant Stephane Derenoncourt is obviously realizing this vineyards full potential. The deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by an open-knit, exotic bouquet of spice, incense, flowers, and sweet black cherries and blackberries. Rich and opulent, with ripe tannin, a savory, voluminous mouthfeel, and wonderful definition as well as elegance, this gorgeous wine is a tour de force for Prieure-Lichine. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025." 91-94/100 points. (Robert Parker)
Chateau Margaux,
For laying down,
Words can't convey how good this is. It is an extraordinary Margaux, with a perfume to die for and an astonishing level of concentration and complexity. The tannin levels are the highest ever here but you would never know; they are like velvet on the tongue cloaked with rich, suave and voluptuous forest fruits and crushed raspberries. The finish goes on forever with coffee, mocha and bitter chocolate hints enhancing the intense pure, creamy cassis. This is a classic Margaux that starts slowly and then just builds and builds to a deafening crescendo that engulfs the senses. This is a legendary Margaux.
Vieux Chateau Certan,
For laying down,
Vieux Ch. Certan, Pomerol displays deep black-red, cherry-red at the rim followed by a bright berry fruit nose; succulence on the palate, lovely weight, depth and texture. Good density. Tannins are plentiful but ripe with a long finish. A real sense of minerality to the wine, clearly from a noble terroir.
The intelligent, fascinating and hugely talented Alexandre Thienpont has made a wine that perfectly reflects his personality in 2005. This is the Grand Cru Burgundy of Bordeaux. It is simply in a different class, even in such an exalted vintage as 2005. The nose is heavenly: very Merlot with orange hints to the fragrant aromatic red fruit. The palate then takes you to another dimension with its incredibly pure, silky, intense raspberry fruit supported by firm but very fine tannins. Roll out the red carpet for this one.
The intelligent, fascinating and hugely talented Alexandre Thienpont has made a wine that perfectly reflects his personality in 2005. This is the Grand Cru Burgundy of Bordeaux. It is simply in a different class, even in such an exalted vintage as 2005. The nose is heavenly: very Merlot with orange hints to the fragrant aromatic red fruit. The palate then takes you to another dimension with its incredibly pure, silky, intense raspberry fruit supported by firm but very fine tannins. Roll out the red carpet for this one.
Ready, but will keep,
Ch. Ormes de Pez, St. Estèphe is a well known chateau that the Cazes family (Ch. Lynch Bages etc) has given more attention to in recent years. It shows the concentration and balance of 2005, a great year, as well as a sweetness of fruit which gave it real appeal.
Tom Cave, Cellar Plan Manager - Dec 09
The Jean-Michel Cazes estates have had a great year in 2005, and this one is no different. This is benchmark St Estèphe, with lots of earthy minerality, this has far more generosity than usual. Extremely accessible, the spicy nose with notes of licorice and pepper leads on to a rich balanced palate with lashings of sweet loganberries and cassis with tobacco hints. This is at once classy, concentrated and quaffable, but with great ageing potential too.
Simon Staples, BBR Fine Wine Director
Tom Cave, Cellar Plan Manager - Dec 09
The Jean-Michel Cazes estates have had a great year in 2005, and this one is no different. This is benchmark St Estèphe, with lots of earthy minerality, this has far more generosity than usual. Extremely accessible, the spicy nose with notes of licorice and pepper leads on to a rich balanced palate with lashings of sweet loganberries and cassis with tobacco hints. This is at once classy, concentrated and quaffable, but with great ageing potential too.
Simon Staples, BBR Fine Wine Director
Chateau Duhart-Milon,
For laying down,
With 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot Duhart-Milon-Rothschild is a bit firmer than the Carruades de Lafite, but is still very Pauillac indeed. An attractive blackcurrant nose is followed by a very ample concentrated palate that is incredibly fresh and very fine indeed. Despite its considerable structure this is a real charmer. Excellent.
Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste,
For laying down,
This is a real return to form for Grand Puy Lacoste, with owner François Xavier Borie rightfully very proud of his Grand Vin in 2005. Made with more Cabernet Sauvignon than usual (78%) this has a gently toasty cassis nose, followed by elegant blackberry and dark cherry fruit with licorice hints and good freshness. It is far more feminine than the Lynch Bages and also the Pontet Canet, yet retains lots of energy and weight along with perfect balance. This may not be a powerhouse but it is one of the very finest wines in Pauillac, and indeed the whole of Bordeaux.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild,
For laying down,
Made from 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, the silky, incredibly concentrated and elegant brambly fruit is wonderfully fragrant with lovely minerality and hints of cedar. The super-ripe tannins are accompanied by layer upon layer of fruit alongside a freshness and firm acidity. This slumbering giant will eventually awaken and become one of the most prized of the 2005 treasures. Even so it is utterly compelling now, with each taste like a PhD of Claret, such is its complexity. It may not have the immediate appeal of the legendary 2000 but we were all agreed that it is unquestionably a better wine. One of the wines of the vintage.
Chateau Lynch-Bages,
For laying down,
A sublime masculine heavyweight Lynch. It is Pauillac personified with an impenetrable but incredibly ripe nose bursting with pure, minerally cassis. Mouthfilling creamy black cherry and blackcurrant fruit is phenomenally smooth and boasts great structure with hints of tobacco, coffee, leather and mint. The tannins are rich and silky with a rare freshness. The wine is aged in 80% new oak which is the most they have ever used, feeling it necessary to cloak the exceptional fruit and powerful tannins. This is set to be a legendary Lynch so don't miss out.
Ready, but will keep,
Benefiting from the skills of the winemaking team at Pichon-Baron under Jean-Réné Matignon, and Christian Seely's astute leadership, this super wine is really punching above its weight in 2005. There is an incredible energy and depth of fruit here with the generous and pretty summer pudding flavours supported by excellent acidity. The team here can be very proud in making such a generous and pretty wine which boasts fine tannins and considerable sex appeal.
Chateau Beychevelle,
For laying down,
Best Beychevelle any of us at Berrys has ever tasted. This has a vivid and attractive nose of raspberries and apples, and what it loses in power, compared to some of the 2005s we have tasted, it gains in finesse. A silky texture and fresh creamy red fruit flavours provide a crisp, concentrated wine. The blend is made up of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Merlot, which is unusually high Merlot for the region. The 2004 is glorious now but showed poorly last year, so maybe the 2005 will be even better a year down the line. And let's be honest, it's so good now it is a risk well worth taking.
Chateau Gruaud Larose,
Ready, but will keep,
This was so good that when one of the team first tasted it, he thought it was the Grand Vin. This is exotic, floral and aromatic, with cassis and hints of ginger. The high Merlot proportion (33%), which was so rich this year, gives the wine an extra roundness in 2005, while the finish is very pure and long. Remaining true to its St Julien terroir this is very good indeed.
Chateau Gruaud Larose,
For laying down,
This is a stunning wine, epitomising St Julien's breed and elegance but with an extra dash of generosity. A fabulous rich nose leads to a structured palate with a lovely weight of ripe, creamy raspberry and loganberry fruit with liquorice and toast hints. The fruit quality is outstanding, with real energy and freshness, topped off by a long, pure finish. The harvest was very late here so the Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Merlot (30%) were able to really blossom. Given their reasonable pricing policy this is one of the wines of the vintage for value as well as quality.
Chateau Calon Segur,
For laying down,
This is a wonderfully constructed wine, with very fine, silky tannins and an intense core of classic brambly St Estèphe fruit with a whiff of mulberries. It is pure and fresh with the 60% Cabernet Sauvignon - brooding, as if waiting to leap out - very much to the fore. This is completely different to their famous 2003, and although Madame will not be drawn on the matter, we certainly think it is considerably superior.
Ready, but will keep,
Owned by the Cuvelier family of Léoville-Poyferré, Le Crock has produced an extremely appealing wine in 2005. There is far more balance and elegance here than we have ever seen before, along with some good earthy, St Estèphe minerality. Made from an interesting blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, this has concentrated dark cassis fruit mixed with black cherries and plums, all supported by firm, ripe tannins. A very good wine indeed from the Cuvelier team.
Chateau Leoville Barton,
For laying down,
There can surely be few other estates in Bordeaux that are as consistently brilliant as Léoville-Barton. This is incredibly classy, with very concentrated, rich, restrained black fruits, and hints of cedar, minerals and cigar box. It is all in absolutely perfect balance with a wonderful freshness and sublime elegance amid lashings of fruit and very fine tannins. Amazing stuff.
Chateau Langoa Barton,
For laying down,
The 2005 Langoa Barton is warm and generous with its feminine, creamy, spicy raspberry fruit acting as the perfect foil for the more masculine black fruit flavours of the Léoville-Barton. This is a very precise yet sumptuous St Julien expressing classic Cabernet characteristics amidst wonderful fresh acidity.
Chateau Cantemerle,
Ready, but will keep,
There is a completeness that is evident in 2005 Clarets, and this is what immediately strikes with 2005 Cantemerle. It has bags of fruit, tannin and acidity, all tied up in an impeccably-balanced, polished package. Sweet cassis fruit is accompanied by a spicy edge and a long, fresh lift. This is very pretty now but ideally wants another five years to really get going, and will easily keep for another five after that.
Tom Cave, Cellar Plan Manager
Tom Cave, Cellar Plan Manager
Ready, but will improve,
This may be a modest chteau (although its selection of old gnarled vines are a good sign) particularly in the context of the great names that surround it, but it is hugely underrated, as the 2005 proves. Known for its power and muscle, in 2005 it has added the communes characteristic charm, extra ripe fruit and a very long generous finish. This will surely be one of the best value wines of the vintage. Drink 2012-2025.
BBR Score: 16.5/20. Parker Score: 92-94/100.
BBR Score: 16.5/20. Parker Score: 92-94/100.
Chateau Talbot,
For laying down,
A Quatrième Cru Classé, Ch. Talbot has a reputation for consistency, as one of the most carefully made and reliable of the St Julien Cru Classé Clarets. The best examples are richly aromatic with a bouquet of cedar wood and vanilla-scented cassis fruit, with a palate packed with well-delineated, ripe, black fruits and finely integrated tannins.
This is very hedonistic, with bags of lush, upfront fruit and easy charm. An attractive, perfumed nose is followed by a silky, textured palate, with good tannins and concentration. It is utterly delicious but is very atypical St Julien – if anything it is more reminiscent of a Pomerol! A real vin de plaisir and the best Talbot we can remember.
This is very hedonistic, with bags of lush, upfront fruit and easy charm. An attractive, perfumed nose is followed by a silky, textured palate, with good tannins and concentration. It is utterly delicious but is very atypical St Julien – if anything it is more reminiscent of a Pomerol! A real vin de plaisir and the best Talbot we can remember.
Simon Staples - Asia Wine Director - 21-Nov-2009
Cos is polished and rich, with a fantastic acidity that will enable it to age majestically. Made with 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a wonderful, dense wine with earthy St Estèphe minerality amidst the incredibly rich fruit. General Manager Jean-Guillaume Prats thinks that 2005 might be as good as their legendary 2003 - but we definitely thought it was better. This fantastic wine is the first serious candidate for wine of the vintage.
Simon Staples, Apr-2006