2005 Bordeaux - Pauillac

Classic eucalypt and dry blaccurrant fruit dominate. The strict tannins will need quite some time to integrate.armit 15 points

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I think the 2005 d’Armailhac may turn out even better than its stable mate, Clerc-Milon. This combination of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot achieved 13.3% alcohol. Revealing lovely creme de cassis-like notes, a beautiful texture, brightness, and sweet tannin, it is an impressively endowed, medium to full-bodied, relatively approachable 2005, although it will undoubtedly display more tannin after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020+. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 90-93 points

Aromas of blackberries and ripe fruit with hints of cigar box. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a rich and ripe finish. A balanced and rich wine. May be better than 2003 and 2000. - James Suckling, The Wine Spectator 89-91 points

Finely concentrated fruit, shows natural ripeness and lift and extremely attractive elegance among a range of much bigger wines, very pretty style. Drink 2009/20. - Decanter Magazine 17 points

Charming, laid-back style. Bursting with ripe blackberries, damsons and mulberries with a fine accompaniment of spice and eucalypt. Delightfully energetic finish offering the promise of great things to come… - armit 16+ points

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Always a serious vin de garde that requires considerable patience, Batailley’s 2005 may be their finest effort in the last forty years. An inky/ruby/purple color is accompanied by classic aromas of black currants, flowers, licorice, and spice box. With huge tannin, medium to full body, impressive concentration, and good depth, it will be drinkable between 2013-2030. – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 88-89 points

Lots of currant and smoky character follows through to a full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a medium finish. Nicely done. – James Suckling, The Wine Spectator 89-91 points

Carruades de Lafite Rothschild 2005, 2nd wine of Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac

Wow. We were absolutely blown away by the beauty of the Carruades. Classic minty, cedar notes, cherries, chocolate and kirsch liqueur. Super expressive, all the while graceful, elegant and very fine. Almost playful in its energy! The best Carruades ever tasted. - armit 18.5 points

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Gorgeous aromas of blackberries, currants and spices. Full-bodied and focused, with fine, tight tannins and a chocolate, berry and licorice aftertaste. Serious second wine of Lafite. Could be as outstanding as the 2000. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 89-91 points

Quite aromatic. Very sumptuous texture and a lovely herald of the vintage if it is not unbelievably expensive. Very ripe and mulberry flavoured and, without tasting the grand vin, you could really lose yourself in this – such fine tannins – truly cashmere! Just a little inkiness on the finish lets it down from top status. A very slightly raw, green note on the nose announces itself only after tasting Lafite itself! Drink 2015–25 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18 points

Richer, sweeter and prettier than the d'Armailhac at the tasting. Tannins finely tuned, more inviting and accessible. Plump, fleshy cherry and blackcurrant fruits, finish just a touch short. - armit 16 points

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Medium to full-bodied, tannic, fresh, vibrant, and, as the French would say, croquant (crunchy), the 2005 deep ruby/purple-tinged Clerc-Milon reveals good acidity, a fresh, lively mouthfeel, surprisingly high alcohol (13.5%) that is at odds with the brightness/freshness found in the wine’s power and richness. The final blend was 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and a smidgen of Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2020. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 90-92 points

Loads of violets, berries and currants with hints of mineral, light vanilla. Full-bodied, with very silky tannins and a long, long finish. Is it better than 2003? Wait and see. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Deep, dark crimson – rather velvety-looking. Savoury, appetising notes on the nose. Silky, fine tannins, very well-handled oak. A rather St-Julien-style Pauillac. Very well mannered and gentle. Though not the limit of ambition. Much extended, renovated property which was especially successful in 2005. Drink 2015–27 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17.5 points

Certainly a classic - finely grained toasty tannins, hints of cedar, exuberant plum and damson fruit and a forward, reliable finish. One of the best Duharts ever. - armit 16.5 points

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Consumers should keep an eye on this estate as their wines are getting better and better. The 2005, while not at the level of the 2003, is an impressive blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot. It offers classic cassis notes along with some of the lead pencil character of its more famous sibling, Lafite Rothschild, medium body, good purity, moderate tannin, and undeniable elegance. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 90-92 points

Lots of blackberry and smoky character. Full-bodied, chewy and rich. Lots going on here. Powerful. Impressive. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Relatively inexpressive though clearly very dense. Deeply purple with more blue than Lafite. Much drier than Carruades but clearly very noble – very Cabernet, with very fine sandy tannins. Chewy and dry on the finish with (just) perceptible alcohol on the finish. Noble but slightly austere. Drink 2018–30 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17.5 points

Serious nose, almost austere. Glossy, dense palate, really smooth with a gentle griotte notes and hints of truffles. Fabulous poise and length. Acidity perfectly in tune, real finesse. A complete wine. - armit 18+ points

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The second wine, the 2005 Les Forts de Latour, represents 45% of the production. A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot, it appears to be the finest Forts de Latour since the 1982 (which I had the good fortune of drinking out of an Imperiale and Jeroboam at Restaurant Daniel on the occasion of Daniel Boulud’s receipt of France’s Legion of Honor on March 12th). The 2005 Les Forts de Latour reveals a striking minerality in addition to gorgeous notes of creme de cassis, forest floor, plum, minerals, and subtle oak. This full-bodied, superbly concentrated, fresh wine should evolve gracefully for two decades. Drink 2006-2026 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 94-96 points

Incredible aromas of currants and exotic fruit. Hints of chocolate and cigar box. Very complex already. Full-bodied, concentrated and velvety. Chewy and powerful. Pure fruit. This is superpowerful. It''s like a tidal wave of fruit and perfect tannins on your palate. This is a Latour 2000 II. On it''s way to 100 points. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Complete, spicy complex nose. Fresh attack with some floral notes on the nose. Quite sumptuous but lacks a little freshness in the middle. Lots of tannin, acidity and fruit. Very very dense. Once this loses its strongly tannic currant character it may become even more satisfying. Very, very fine tannins – dry but not drying finish. Full and broad compared with Latour itself. About eight hectares of mature Cabernet Sauvignon vines have been added to Latour’s holdings since early 2005 and have mostly gone into Les Forts. Drink 2016–30 Drink 2018–40 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18.5 points

Xavier Borie, owner of Grand Puy Lacoste, believes it to be his best ever and compares it the outstanding 1982, 85 and 90. Hints of stones, flowers, ripe black fruits and spice. Vibrance, balance, length, scale and suppleness, this has it all. - armit 18 points

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Following a period of mixed performances, Grand-Puy-Lacoste’s 2005 is their finest effort since 2000 and 1996. It offers a deep ruby/purple color in addition to a beautiful, pure bouquet of creme de cassis, full body, moderately high tannin, and good precision, freshness, weight, and richness. Like many of the classified growths, it is a candidate to shut down after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 92-94 points

Aromas of berries and spices follow through to a full body, fine tannins and a chewy finish. Tight and reserved but shows lovely potential. Layered and refined. Very beautiful. Perhaps better than 2000. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Very lively with lots of refreshing acidity on the nose. Very rich and powerful and sweet on the front palate. Winning texture – reminds me a bit of the Giscours in its modern idiom. Should please many people but lacks real savoury depth. Very chewy finish. Quite heavy oaking – lacks real refreshment value. Drink 2014–22 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17 points

Super-fresh, fruit-driven wine with creamy black forest fruits and a smooth touch of fudge. Hints of liqueur and choclate emerging on the finish. Definitely full and rounded, though the firm tannins will take time to soften. - armit 16.5 points

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As usual, the 2005 Haut-Batailley resembles a St.-Julien more than a Pauillac. It possesses a deep plum/ruby color as well as a sweet nose of raspberries, black currants, spice, and oak. Elegant, medium-bodied, and made in a less powerful, structured style than most 2005s, it should hit its peak in 5-6 years, and last for 15 or more. Drink 2011-2021 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 88-90 points

Aromas of crushed berry, spice and light toasted oak. Licorice galore. Full-bodied, with velvety texture and a long, caressing finish. Another 2000. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

First year of the new vat-house. Great deep colour. Very pure ripe fruit – lots of polished fruit without particularly obvious oak influence. Extreme sweetness on the front palate. A little bit obvious. Well made but slightly pinched tannins on the finish. Quite perceptible heat on the finish. Almost black cherries. A slightly animal raw note. Drink 2012–18 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 16.5 points

Lacoste Borie 2005, Pauillac

Second wine of the renowned Grand Puy Lacoste, this has always provided great value for money and a consistent level of high quality. 2005 does not disappoint on either count. – armit 16 points

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Exuding the elegance and restraint so typical of Lafite. At the same time moutfilling and expansive. Well-refined richesse, violets, black cherry berry fruit, mint, liqourice and stones. Grainy tannins. Fine presence. Seamless. Neverending. Takes you to another realm. - armit 19.5 points

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The 2005 Lafite is a lighter-styled effort than I expected, but of course, this estate is renowned for its delicacy and finesse. After the world-beating, off-the-charts 2003, which is a modern-day clone of the 1959, the 2005 seems pretty and restrained, but very noble as one would expect. Remarkably, the alcohol is actually higher in 2005 than in 2003, topping out at 13+%. The final blend was 88.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.7% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot. Production represented only 40% of the harvest. The wine’s dark plum/ruby/purple color is followed by Lafite’s tell-tale aromas of lead pencil shavings intermixed with flowers, minerals, sweet berries, and black currants. Medium-bodied, quintessentially elegant and finesse-styled with high but ripe tannin, it is an impeccably pure, exceptionally well-made effort. Despite its obvious charm, my instincts suggest it will shut down after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 98-100 points

Fabulous aromas of currant, tobacco, mineral and cedar with licorice undertones. Muscular wine with firm yet velvety tannins. Full-bodied, with lots of fruit yet reserved and long. Wonderful balance yet plenty of strength. Extremely well-toned and long. 2000 again? - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Extremely complex and intriguing on the nose. More lifted than Duhart Milon and Carruades. Very fine-boned and minerally – graphite sensation (although there is no Cabernet Franc in the final blend). Delicate – which is quite an achievement in 2005! Very subtle and very youthful. Wonderful opulence with a neat, dry finish. A gorgeous drink that may be overlooked in comparison with Latour’s greater drama but a very fine representation of both château and vintage, with, I suspect, a very long window of drinkability. Drink 2018–40?
- Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 19 points

Powerful and brooding. Dense, deep rich black berry and dry currant fruit, eucalypt, spice and dark chocolate. Goes on forever, layers and layers continue to expand on the palate. So much more to come. Immaculate, precise and serious, not unlike its maker! - armit 19.5 points

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The colossal 2005 Latour (44% of the total production) is a wine for the ages. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, it possesses the highest alcohol of recent vintages. Different both structurally and texturally from the extraordinary 2003 (which I tend to prefer, although Frederic Engerer clearly disagrees), the black/purple-hued 2005 exhibits high tannin, prodigious concentration, unbelievable purity, amazing freshness and vibrancy, and almost surreal definition and nuances for such a young wine. It is a huge, fresh, backward yet incredibly pure effort that represents a modern day classic, but don’t expect the opulence and exotic sweetness of the 2003. It will close down after bottling, and require at least a decade of cellaring before consuming. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 98-100 points

Excellent depth of colour. Very intense and spicy. Intriguing – this is a wine that drags you in to the glass! Full, ample, wonderful grand spread across the palate. Such magnificence – rides over the palate. All lovely fine tannins and subtlety. No obvious alcohol – dense but not tricksy. Yet there is the squareness and rigour of Latour. Just 13.35 per cent alcohol. Deliberate choice not to go for monstrous alcohol. Very intense and extremely fine. Intense and funnily enough it reminds me a bit of Ausone. The focus of it… The density of it…. Smoky character – a bit of woodsmoke. Very dry tannins but not drying on the finish. Cool, restrained, less aromatic than the Margaux. But very solid. This wine may still be motoring along after the Margaux. Very mineral. Structured like 2004 but with more flesh. - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 19.5 points

Lovely fresh blackcurrant, spice, mint, cedar - a classic, rich and concentrated Pauillac. Really fine quality, excellent presentation, exemplary length. - armit 18.5 points

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This dense inky/purple-hued, elegant Lynch Bages will not make tasters forget the 2000, 1996, 1990, or 1989, but it is a big improvement over some recent indifferent efforts. Although lacking the massiveness expected in a vintage such as 2005, it possesses copious quantities of creme de cassis, licorice, smoke, and minerals. With good precision, lively acidity, wonderful purity and elegance, it may represent a modern-day clone of the brilliant 1955 fashioned by charismatic proprietor, Jean-Michel Cazes’, father. The 2005 will require 3-5 years of cellaring, and should evolve for 20-25 years. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 91-93 points

Currant, blackberry, cherry and hints of licorice. Full-bodied, with silky and refined tannins and a fresh finish. This is racy and pretty. Very refined. Very structured. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Intense crimson. Lightly fragrant. Soft, spicy, slightly tarry start and then iron hand in that appealing velvet glove. Very nicely done wine but I could do with just slightly more freshness. Competent certainly… A little bit of a fade on the finish. When I tasted it non-blind next to its second wine Haut Bages Averous, I was surprised not to see a greater difference in quality between them. It is certainly denser and drier – in fact the tannins are currently pretty inky on the finish. Drink 2016–26 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17 points

Smoky, savoury, rich dense brambly fruit, chocolate and eucalypt. Great presence en bouche and a fine balance but cannot boast the structure of Latour nor the complexity of Lafite. However, huge improvement on recent years. The new winemaker is clearly making waves. - armit 18 points

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The 2005 Mouton-Rothschild (a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc) tips the scales at 13.2% alcohol, one of the highest percentages ever achieved at this estate. It does not possess the power or awesome depth of the 1986 or 1982, but it may represent a modern-day clone of the 1955. A tannic, backward, concentrated, powerful Mouton built for the ages, it will require 10-15 years to reach its full potential. An inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by classic notes of creme de cassis and smoke, but no trace of new oak. That in itself is a good indication of how rich and concentrated this wine must be to have absorbed all its oak at this stage of its evolution. One might also term it 1996-like in style given its fresh acidity and bright personality. Medium to full-bodied, impeccably elegant, powerful yet subtle and reticent at present, it will be extremely long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+ - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 94-96 points

Lots of currants, berries and minerals and light toasted oak on the nose. Full-bodied and very refined, with lots of silky tannins and a long finish. Elegant and fine. Very pretty. But should be up with the rest of the first-growths. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

13.1 per cent alcohol compared with the more usual 12.3–12.8 per cent. Extremely deep crimson. Blackish tinge. Very dense and an interesting edge to it but, unusually, intensely sweet for a Pauillac first growth. Even hints of tar and game. Not as dense as some. Very raw at the moment – lots and lots fruit. The tannins are much less marked than on most – perhaps because the fruit is so ripe. Silky texture – but the overriding impression is one of sweetness. Bigger than the 2004 served immediately after but Mouton 2004 looks awfully good, if quite forward, now. Just 64 per cent of the crop went into the grand vin, so this is the smallest production of the grand vin for 25 years (not counting 1991 and 1977 which suffered such extreme weather conditions). Drink 2018–32 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18.5 points

Very closed, brooding presence right now. Serious, earthy minerally notes, toasty new oak and impressive ripe black forest fruits. Very complete. Excellent. - armit 18+ points

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Yield of 35 hectoliters per hectare and a final blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc have produced a black/purple-colored 2005 boasting gorgeous intensity as well as sweet, classic creme de cassis notes interwoven with incense, camphor, and graphite. Powerful and full-bodied with abundant glycerin, high tannin, endearing freshness and sweetness, and a long, 45-second finish, this hefty (13.6% alcohol) Pauillac should be at its finest between 2012-2030+. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 92-95 points

Lovely blackberry and toasted oak character follows through to a full-bodied palate, with round and juicy tannins and a long, very fruity finish. Yummy. Not sure this is up to 2003, but clearly outstanding. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Very deep crimson. Something oddly animal on the nose. Then fresh simple black fruit and very marked tannins. Not comfortable on the palate at the moment but there is a lot locked in there. One to watch – just a little note of alcohol on the finish. Something slightly diffuse about it. 17 pointsSecond sample in London:
Deep healthy crimson. Mellow, mild, very sophisticated nose. Still extremely reticent and very dry and gentleman’s club-like savoury with what tastes like an exceptionally heavy charge of tannins. Oddly this is almost in the traditional Latour style just as Latour has moved on from it to add extra fruit to that slightly austere framework. A very long term proposition surely. I think my mark stands for how it tastes now, although it may well develop in the very long term into something much more alluring. Drink 2018-30 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17 points

A dense, weighty mouthful, bursting with ripe fruit all the time retaining the hallmark energy and elegance. Fresh and breezy with attractive juicy tannins. Excellent potential but will require time to knit together. - armit 18 points

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Only 50% of the production made it into this blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. The Merlot harvest began on September 20, and the Cabernet Sauvignon was brought in in early October. Deep ruby-hued with purple highlights, the lighter-styled 2005 Pichon-Lalande (reminiscent of Pinot Noir) is a racy, elegant, finesse-filled Pauillac without the power, flesh, and substance of previous vintages. Its delicacy and vibrancy have resulted in a singularly styled effort for this impeccably run estate. I would not be surprised to see the 2005 put on more weight after 4-5 years of bottle age; it should keep for two decades. Drink 2010-2026 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 89-91 points

Love the aromas here of currants, licorice, exotic fruit, and berries. Complex. Full and silky, with gorgeous tannins. This is really long and reserved. Very close to 95-100. I will see in bottle. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Very dark crimson. Broad and opulent on the nose – scented. Fresh and relatively simple. A little green note? Neat and compact but not as dense as some. Certainly a ripe vintage with dry tannins and representative of 2005, but correct rather than a wow wine. Very competent and well balanced. Finishes quite suddenly. (I tasted the 2004 alongside and was most impressed by its vivacity and depth. It could be even better than the 2005!) More obvious sweetness than the 2004. Drink 2012–25 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17.5 points

Classic Pauillac - firm, concentrated blackcurrants, mint and herbaceous notes. Pure, energetic and well-delineated. The best ever according to owner, Alfred Tesseron. - armit 18 points

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Absolutely spectacular, Pontet-Canet’s 2005 receives the full attention of dedicated proprietor Alfred Tesseron. Produced from yields of 35 hectoliters per hectare (25% less wine than in 2004), it is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. The first vintage vinified in tiny cement cuves with pigeage for some lots, this wine will have 40-50 years of longevity, and should turn out to be the greatest Pontet-Canet since such ancient classics as 1961, 1945, and 1929. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as pure creme de cassis aromas, first-growth nobility and raciness, massive body, tannin, and extract, and a finish that lasts nearly a minute. With extraordinary purity and density, it is unapproachable at present, and is best cellared until 2012, and drunk over the following 50 years. Drink 2012-2062 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 94-96 points

Glorious aromas of currants, blackberries and cherries with hints of vanilla and cedar. Full-bodied, with exuberant fruit. Velvety tannins. Soft and round mouthfeel. This is supercharged with fruit. Wonderful purity of Cabernet Sauvignon. Very low yields this year. Best ever from here? - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

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