2005 Bordeaux - Pomerol

An excellent property, this offers all that is great at Pomerol - depth, smoothness, rich fruit- but at an entry level price. Pure, fresh red fruits with hints of licquorice, clove and spices. Silky textures but impressive grip. Lovely length and refreshing tannins. Very good. – armit 16 points

Price per case In Bond £220 BUY

A candidate for the finest wine produced at this chateau, Beauregard’s inky/ruby-colored 2005 offers up sumptuously rich aromas of graphite, smoke, black cherry jam, and cassis. With superb fruit, medium to full body, ripe tannin, and adequate acidity, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-15 years. Drink 2006-2021 – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 89-91 points

Velvety with lots of good fruit and chocolaty berry character. Full-bodied, round and pretty. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. – James Suckling, The Wine Spectator 89-91 points

Dark crimson and shaded. Intensely fruity but with some interesting minerality underneath. Lively with some vigour. An easy, sappy, vigorous drink. Lovely satin texture. Drink 2012–20 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17 points

Exuberant attack of red berry fruit on the nose. Brimming with flavour, it boasts a deep rich core of sweet and spicy brambly fruit. Hints of leather, smoke and earth. Invigorating freshness on the finish. Superb. – armit 17.5+ points

Price per case In Bond £450 SOLD OUT

The finest Certan de May in many years (thanks to the intervention of famed wine consultant Michel Rolland), the dense purple-colored 2005 exhibits notes of camphor, creosote, plums, black cherry liqueur, currants, licorice, and pain grille. Full-bodied, powerful, and concentrated, with good freshness, moderately high tannin, and tremendous persistence as well as depth, this wine should “rock and roll” between 2010-2025. Drink 2010-2025 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 93-95 points

Pure crushed grapes. Incredible nose. Full-bodied, with super concentration and ultraripe tannins. It lasts for minutes. Classy, but muscular. Certan de May is back with force. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Dark rusty crimson. Richly scented with even a hint of oak – most unusual on a Moueix wine. Very intense aromas, not especially fruity. Sweet start and very silky texture. Fresh finish. Quite brisk and palate-cleansing. Very slightly astringent on the finish. - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17 points

The finest La Conseillante since 2000, the dense purple-colored 2005 displays notes of sweet raspberries, creamy vanilla ice cream, spice box, and cedar. With good fruit, depth, and a broad, savory attack as well as mid-palate, this medium-bodied, finesse-styled, elegant wine represents a synthesis in style between a grand cru red Burgundy and a top-notch Bordeaux. Give it 3-5 years of bottle age, and drink it over the following 20-25. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 93-95 points

Classy aromas of flowers, berries and minerals. Full-bodied, with lovely silky tannins and a long finish. Has the potential for a classic rating. Best in a long time. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Lively, vivid nose that sparkles with life. Zesty wine which has a cocktail of fine fruit on the mid palate but masses of pretty inky tannins on the finish. Keep this! Drink 2016-28 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17.5+ points

A spectacular offering from proprietor Denis Durantou, the 2005 ranks alongside the 2000 and 1998 l’Eglise-Clinets. An inky/ruby/purple color is followed by a sumptuous bouquet of violets, melted licorice, creosote, black cherries, blackberries, and espresso. Boasting super intensity, huge, full-bodied opulence and power, and plenty of sweet tannin and glycerin, I would not be surprised to see this 2005 shut down after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2035. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 96-98 points

Subtle and fascinating with gorgeous floral and fruity aromas that follow through to a sold palate, with full body, ultrafine tannins and a long, long finish. This has class and complexity. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

1st sample: Dark, bright purple. Rich, round, rather cool and long term – fine and refined. Much less opulent than I would have expected.2nd sample: Rich, velvety, cool and slightly gassy. More than 14 per cent alcohol. Quite different from 2003!! Drink 2016–29 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18 points

The finest l’Evangile since the 2000 and 1998 (the chateau’s staff believes it will eclipse those two vintages), the 2005 is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc produced from yields of 39 hectoliters per hectare. It is aged in 100% new oak and some lots enjoy malolactic in barrel. A saturated purple color is accompanied by sweet aromas of blackberries, mocha, camphor, and hints of licorice as well as spice. Finely etched tannins provide considerable support and definition to this full-bodied, opulent Pomerol. It easily conceals its lofty tannin and sizeable alcohol (13.2%). Undeniably a top effort from one of Pomerol’s finest terroirs, it should be at its peak between 2010-2030. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 93-95 points

This is incredible. This is a bomb. Exotic. Complex aromas and flavors of ripe fruit, dark chocolate, coffee and light raisins. Full-bodied, big and velvety. Very, very long. Gorgeous. This could be close to 100 points. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Very very deep crimson 13.5 per cent. Opulent and easy and full but with lovely acidity. Very subtle and round. Great zest. Lovely density with lift. 85 per cent Merlot, with 3–4 days’ cold maceration. Fresh and lively. Sweet start and dry finish in the best sense. Very very neat and intense. Sweet tea character. Long and neat. Drink 2014–30 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18.5 points

Gazin 2005, Pomerol

The big names in Pomerol have really excelled themselves this year and Gazin is right up there in terms of quality. It is hard to go wrong in Pomerol in 2005 and at a keen price we think this is worth every penny. – armit 17 points

Price per case In Bond £320 BUY

Gazin’s superb 2005 is equal to their brilliant 2001. Its dense purple color is accompanied by sweet plum, cherry, and cassis fruit, a touch of pain grille, full body, sweet tannin, and a persistent, 45-second finish. This beauty will be drinkable in 4-5 years, and last for two decades or more.
– Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 92-94 points

Aromas of berry, toasted oak and coffee. Full-bodied, round and velvety. Lots of fruit. Chewy. Could move up a notch. – James Suckling, The Wine Spectator 89-91 points

Blueish crimson. Quite ‘pointed’ and thick and fairly heavily extracted but there is good terroir evident in here. Very lively and racy and exuberant.

Very black, concentrated and glamorous. Meaty and long. (London, 26 apr 05)
Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17 points

Bright ruby-red. Black raspberry, blackberry, mocha, coffee and sexy oak on the slightly liqueur-like nose; very Pomerol. Suave on entry, then dense and fresh in the middle but not overly sweet or overdone. Finishes with good breadth, building tannins and lingering torrefaction notes of chocolate and licorice. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 89-92 points

One of the most complex wines of Pomerol, this 1,200 case cuvee from the finest parcel of the vineyard formerly known as Certan-Giraud offers extraordinary aromatics of melted licorice, spring flowers, mulberries, black currants, sweet cherries, and smoke. A stunningly voluptuous wine with sweet tannin, admirable richness, and impressive purity, it represents the Cheval Blanc of Pomerol. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 94-96 points

Subtle aromas of raspberry and blackberry with chocolate. Full-bodied, with silky, refined tannins and a solid core of fruit. It''''s long and focused. Seductive. Best ever from here. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Dark crimson. Meaty and intense on the nose. Great breadth of fruit, animal and mineral on the nose! Very sweet palate entry – flattering. Then a vice-like grip of tannins. Fine and chewy on the finsh. Very very youthful but with lots hidden in there. Fine and fizzing with energy under the surface. Drink 2016–28 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17.5 points

An extraordinarily powerful concoction of 67% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Franc boasting nearly 14% alcohol, this inky/ruby/purple-colored 2005 offers up scents of graphite, kirsch liqueur, melted licorice, smoke, and a hint of truffles. With abundant concentration, tannin, extract, and alcohol, this stunning yet massively constituted as well as multilayered Pomerol will need 7-10 years to become drinkable. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2040. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 95-97 points

Focused aromas of licorice and blackberry. Minerals and flowers. Complex. Licorice. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins. Powerful and muscular. Long and silky. A beauty. This is 1982. So structured. Hard to think this won''''t be 100 points, but who knows? This will age forever. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Very very deep blackish crimson. Very very ripe – just as ripe on the nose and alluring as the Pensées (see below). Deeper thicker drier richer more refined. For much longer term. Very fine tannins. Delicate tea and lively – not unlike L’Évangile but a bit more delicate. - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18.5 points

Made in Pomerol’s quintessentially elegant style, this 2005 reveals pure raspberry and cherry fruit intermixed with spice box, cedar, and licorice. With superb purity, medium body, and stunning concentration, 3-4 years of cellaring will be beneficial, and it should last for 15+. Drink 2009-2021 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 92-94 points

Extravagant aromas of crushed fruit and flowers. Almost like a young Port. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and a soft and silky tannin structure. Very fine. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Mid healthy crimson. Very mineral nose – almost iron filings – though with lots of rich fruit underneath. Very grainy tannins. Extremely embryonic and sinewy. This one is an athlete, probably a marathon runner. Drink 2017–30 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18 points

As usual, the 2005 Le Pin (500 cases produced) is an exotic, aromatic effort offering gorgeous aromas of cedar, plums, black cherry liqueur, espresso roast, and chocolate. This full-bodied, rich, fragrant (the Thienponts call it the “Richebourg” of Bordeaux) effort possesses supple, velvety tannin and attractive sweetness and expansiveness, as well as good freshness and definition. It should continue to put on weight and evolve into another blockbuster from this tiny vineyard. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2025. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 94-96 points

This is so floral, spicy and complex. It's hard to believe. Some lavender and berry. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, long finish. Very Burgundian. Not the 1998. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Not especially deep-coloured with very intense sweet, gamey notes on the nose. Exceptionally rich and sweet with hints of strawberry fruit – most exotic and unusual – yet neat and restrained. Extremely fresh with coffee notes. Extremely rigorous on the palate. Manages to be both broad and lively. ‘Just’ 13 per cent alcohol. Something slightly herbal about it. Definitely a very intriguing wine – more delicate and gentle than the 2004, which we tasted from tank just prior to bottling and which Jacques Thienpont described as more rustic than the 2005 – a relative term, one feels. Drink 2010–20 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18.5 points

This is rich and wonderful with blackberry and cherry character. Full-bodied and dense yet refined. Long and silky. Fantastic for a second wine. Almost classic quality. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Excellent colour. Pretty lush on the front. Very sweet and gentle and easy. Round and mineral. Very rich and lively. Dry start to the palate but not on the finish – very unusual! Very round and flatteur. Difficult to imagine why this was eliminated from the Ch Lafleur grand vin. Drink 2012–22 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17.5 points

Proprietor Jean-Francois Moueix told me this wine reminds him of the 1947 Petrus. Production in 2005 (2,300 cases) was about half of what could be produced, and the resulting wine should last for a half century or more. A dense purple color is followed by a promising nose of sweet black and red fruits interwoven with pain grille, mineral, licorice, and mocha-like characteristics. This full-bodied, powerful, exceptionally pure, multilayered effort is a bigger, fuller Petrus than the 2003, and easily as structured as the 2000. Only time will tell whether it will turn out to be as complex and noble as the 1998. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 96-100 points

Astounding. This is wonderfully concentrated with fabulous fruit, chocolate and berry character. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. My head is spinning. This could be 1989 in the remake. 100 points? - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Just mid crimson. Very embryonic wine with freshness the overriding quality on the nose. Only after that does the opulence reveal itself. Fresh, almost floral, with only medium weight and then, like Trotanoy, a great panoply of flavours on the back palate and an amazing depth of tannin. A wine with very different structure from most bordeaux 2005. Dry finish and all completely embedded at present. Certainly doesn’t taste especially high in anything other than tannin, which itself is strictly a phenomenon of the second half of the tasting experience. Drink 2020–40 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18.5 points

Earthy, dark blackberry fruit, chocolate and minerals. Forward, richly textured and plenty of tannic structure. Lovely balance and drinkability.. - armit 15.5 points

Price per case In Bond £85 SOLD OUT

Lots of blackberry and chocolate character. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Impressive. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 98-91 points

A closed, muscular, masculine, tannic effort, the 2005 Trotanoy reveals scents of crushed rocks, new saddle leather, roasted meats, black cherries, and charcoal. Medium-bodied, dense, ruggedly built as well as deep, it will be a long-lived Pomerol, but will offer little charm in its youth. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2026. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 90-92 points

Extremely floral aromas with raspberry and cherry undertones. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long finish. This is very structured. Muscular. Best ever? - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Bright crimson. Fragrant and aromatic. Very smooth, enveloping fresh sweetness on the front palate though certainly not opulent at this stage. This wine is all in the finish, which builds in the most extraordinary way. Quite demanding of the taster. It would be easy to dismiss this wine for its lack of immediate impact but there’s a heck of a lot going on there on the back palate. Very, very long. Moueix. Drink 2017–32 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18+ points

Sweet scents of mulberries, black currants, and cherries intertwined with notes of herbs, licorice, and pain grille emerge from this lovely Pomerol. The wine comes across as reserved, but there is impressive extract, tannin, and glycerin in the long finish. Made from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2005 is a structured, elegant, potentially complex and noble Vieux Chateau Certan. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030+. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 92-94 points

Intense blackberry, chocolate and floral aromas. Full-bodied, with amazing texture of soft tannins and ripe fruit. All in balance. So long. Goes on and on. Loving and tender. What a red. This reminds me of 1950, although I wasn''''t around to taste it from barrel! I am amazed. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

It’s still early days in our Bordeaux schedule but I can say that the single most memorable wine tasted yesterday, after far too many – mainly right bank – was Vieux Château Certan 2005.

Alexandre Thienpont just seems to be on a roll in his recently renovated cellar on the eastern fringes of Pomerol with sight of both Cheval Blanc (which Alain Vauthier of Ausone generously assured us is ‘remarquable’ in 2005) and Le Pin run by his cousin Jacques Thienpont and his Master of Wine wife Fiona.

VCC was a star in 2004 too, even though in a slightly different style. Thienpont pointed out that 2005 was a Merlot year for his estate and that the Cabernet Franc (just 20 per cent of the blend in 2005) was a little austere in comparison. (We tasted some from vat where it is waiting to be put into barrel as the second wine Les Gravettes 2005.) When VCC is good, as it so often is, it is a wonderfully fine, sinewy expression of Merlot with Cabernet Franc, Pomerol with the gravely part of St-Emilion influences. I really don’t think anyone should be disappointed with this wine – and I probably wrote the same thing about the 2004.

VCC will not be shown in the Union de Grands Crus tastings this year, incidentally, so you may not see it written about as widely as many other wines. - Jancis Robinson, www.jancisrobinson.com 3rd April 2006

Quite exceptionally energetic wine. Bright crimson – not one of the deepest colours – and wonderfully fresh, lively, racy wine that is beautifully balanced. Rich, broad yet not at all heavy – really rather like a racehorse at the peak of its form. Undoubtedly very ripe Merlot but Merlot with the greatest aspects of finesse. Already explosive. Lovely texture. Great lightness and life – complete. Alexandre Thienpont, who also did brilliantly in 2004, found his Cabernet Franc a bit austere in 2005 and has favoured Merlot in the blend for this magnificent grand vin. Drink 2010–28 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 19 points

What a belter! Expressive, fleshy ripe berry fruit followed by hints of mocha, chocolate and leather. Full of character. We have three words - balance, structure and presence. armit 16.5 points

Price per case In Bond £295 SOLD OUT

A superb, deep, multilayered Pomerol, Vray Croix de Gay’s 2005 reveals abundant amounts of plum, black raspberry, and blackberry fruit, full body, super purity, and hefty tannin in the long finish. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020+. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 90-92 points

Smells like summer pudding with cream. Full-bodied, with velvety yet fine tannins and a long finish. Very caressing and pretty. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Mid crimson. Florally aromatic – sweet and pretty. Very delicate hand. Far from taken to the limit of ripeness and even with a little bite of less than to-the-limit-ripe tannins. Refreshing – a bit of a bet on the near side of the equation, presumably to avoid the risk of overripe Merlot? Long. Drink 2014–26 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17 points

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