2005 Bordeaux En Primeur

Pessac-Léognan

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Bahans Haut-Brion 2005, Pessac-Léognan

The 2005 Bahans-Haut-Brion is a lighter, more accessible version of its more famous sibling. Dark ruby with smoky currant and sweet cherry aromas, this wine is already complex and generous in delivering fruit, glycerin, and silky tannin. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. Drink 2006-2018 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 90-92 points

Aromas of blackberry, sweet tobacco and light cedar with just a hint of tar. Solid core of fruit here with big, silky tannins and a long, subtle yet flavorful finish. Very fine indeed. This is already on the level of a very good Haut-Brion. Second wine. The château calls it is the best since 1989. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Deep crimson with a definitely shocking pink rim. Light nose but very dense. Great sweetness on the front palate. Very mellifluous. More marked acidity than the Chapelle de la Mission; a little tougher and definitely different. More layers and stricter than the Chapelle. Should provide very appetising drinking. Very pure and persistent. Excellent. (Second wine of Ch Haut-Brion.) Drink 2013–24 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17.5 points 

 

Haut-Brion 2005, 1ière cru Pessac-Léognan

The 2005 Haut-Brion is an extraordinarily broad, rich, full-bodied effort boasting huge aromas of scorched earth, plum sauce, sweet cherries, black currants, and a hint of toasty oak. The wine possesses huge tannins, which is somewhat deceptive given its viscosity and opulence. Despite its intensity, Haut-Brion is always a model of elegance and symmetry. The profound 2005, which will undoubtedly shut down after bottling, should be less seductive in its youth than either the 1989 or 1990, but it will be incredibly long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040+. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 96-100 points

Superdark for Haut-Brion. The nose is mindblowing. Exotic. Like a bouquet of flowers with raspberries and currants as well as Chinese spices and fruits. Hints of new wood. Full-bodied, with ultrarefined tannins and great length--goes on and on. This is on its way to 100 points. Better than 1989. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

56% M 39% CS, 5% CF (45% grand vin). Very very dark crimson with maroon rim. Truly great, very savoury, appetising absolutely classic, true Haut-Brion scents of minerals as a grace note on extraordinary ripeness without fatness. Bravissimo! What delicacy with power! There is masses and masses dug in underneath here – weight and tannin and dryness on the finish but it’s all covered with a fine cashmere blanket. A tiny bit of heat on the end? Extraordinary fan of flavours. Great lift and precision and then length. Absolutely no sweetness – what a contrast to many of yesterday’s St-Emilions! You wouldn’t think they were at all in the same region… Drink 2018–40 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 19.5 points 

 

Haut-Brion White 2005, Pessac-Léognan

Another excellent vintage for Bordeaux's dry whites, which tend to be vastly underrated and exceptionally long-lived (30-40 years in some cases). The 2005s possess crisp acidity as well as serious weight, richness, and texture. Space constraints did not allow full tasting notes, but this is one of the top 2005 dry white Bordeaux wines. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 96-99 points

Intense aromas of apple, lime and mineral follow through to a full-bodied palate, with incredible power. Electrifying. It touches all of your tastes buds. Dense yet refined and elegant. This may be the best ever. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

For the moment a less expressive nose than Laville Haut-Brion. Decidedly more mineral (rather than fruit) than Laville. Very dense and focused and refreshing. Lime and life and gusto but quite chalky fine tannins on the finish. A long-term player! May eventually be finer than Laville, though not weightier. Drink 2016–30 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18 points 

 

La Mission-Haut-Brion 2005, Pessac-Léognan

The deep ruby/purple-hued 2005 La Mission-Haut-Brion is the finest offering from this estate since the 2000, a vintage it resembles in power, muscle, and structure. A gorgeous perfume of creosote, blueberries, and black fruits is followed by powerful, full-bodied flavors with great purity as well as remarkable freshness. Already revealing a certain unctuosity and thickness, it should continue to put on weight and develop magnificently for 25-30+ years. La Mission’s staff believes it is more similar to the 1990 than 2000, but it is too early for me to agree or disagree. Nevertheless, this is a profound La Mission-Haut-Brion. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030+. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 95-97 points

Loads of crushed berries and flowers on the nose. Very sweet dark fruits. Full-bodied, with amazing concentration of fruit. Big, silky tannins. The depth of fruit is there. Dig down and find it. The richest La Mission ever. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

69% M 30% CS 1% CF (55% grand vin) A little more Merlot than usual. Crimson with some paleness at the rim. Extraordinary combination of almost super-ripe notes and freshness. This just walks on air! It has the guts and density underneath for the usual La Mission long life but seduces utterly with its initial aerien impression. Quite extraordinary. Still quite a weight of very fine tannins underneath. Very long and precise and very finely etched. A bit more ‘pointed’ than the Haut-Brion. Drink 2017–40 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 19 points 

 

La Tour-Haut-Brion 2005, Pessac-Léognan

Dark ruby/purple-colored with a smoky, barbecue spice, mulberry, and black currant-scented nose, this strong effort reveals more body, density, and length than usual. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 90-92 points

Black in color. Intense yet subtle aromas of currant, raspberry and flowers. Full-bodied, with big, silky tannins. Racy. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

32% M, 27% CS, 41% CF. Particularly blackish crimson. Extraordinary depth of colour. High-toned, very Cabernet nose but with great luscious ripeness too – much riper than I ever remember La Tour tasting at this time of year. Full and opulent – and almost odd because of its lack of customary rigour. It does have a backbone but the tannins are so fine… Almost delicate! Drink 2015–30 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18 points 

 

Laville Haut Brion White 2005, Pessac-Léognan

Another excellent vintage for Bordeaux's dry whites, which tend to be vastly underrated and exceptionally long-lived (30-40 years in some cases). The 2005s possess crisp acidity as well as serious weight, richness, and texture. Space constraints did not allow full tasting notes, but this is one of the top 2005 dry white Bordeaux wines. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 96-98 points

Incredible aromas of pineapple, lime and apple with light oak undertones. Full-bodied, with a thick structure and lots of lemon and apple character. Long and structured. Dense. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Deep greenish gold. Very heady and thick and almost tropical fruit and coconut like. Slightly flroral – certainly very aromatic. Lots of richness and lanolin but no shortage of acidity. Very rich start and then the purity of the Sauvignon kicks in – they must have picked this quite early for although there is lots of weight, there is masses of acidity. Almost grapefruit flavours. Very lively but still quite astringent. Save for a while! Drink 2014–28 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18 points