2005 Bordeaux - St-Emilion

A certain change in style from previous vintages. More subtle and fragrant and not at all forced. Airy and refreshing notes of pepper, spice, mocha and freshly baked dough balls. Layers of plush ripe plums and berries. A return to classic St Emilion. - armit 18.5 points

Price per case IB £1500 SOLD OUT

Could this be the most profound Angelus yet made by the brilliant Hubert de Bouard since he turned this once under-achieving estate around in the mid-eighties? A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the spectacular, inky/blue/purple-hued 2005 (7,080 cases; 14.5% natural alcohol) exhibits an extraordinary projected nose of blueberries, blackberries, liqueur of minerals, flowers, and subtle, toasty new oak. Magnificently concentrated, displaying a seamless integration of acidity, wood, tannin, and alcohol, a soaring mid-palate, and a finish that lasts over 60 seconds, this is a wine of compelling potential. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030+. Drink 2010-2030 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 96-98 points

Very, very pretty aromas already of violets, mineral and blackberry. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a delicate, complex finish. Very subtle. Refined. Will it be better than 2000? - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Purple with some paleness at rim. Big, bold and very ripe with no shortage of energy. Thick, sweet palate attack but pretty extracted on the finish. Quite exaggerated expression of what were obviously very charming ripe ingredients. Fast fade on the finish. Drink 2012–19 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 15 points

Deep colour. Nice spicy plummy scent. Beautiful balance, sweet fruit. Lovely soft tannins, perfumed soft voluptuous body. Very long on the palate. Delicious for drinking young but it will last for ages. – John Armit 17 points

Price per case IB £265 SOLD OUT

The finest l’Arrosee since 1990 and 1982, this estate’s new owner is clearly on the right path to restoring this impeccable terroir to its former glory. Top-flight oenologist Gilles Pouquet is overseeing the vinification, and the result is a wine that combines the best of Burgundy and Bordeaux. Elegant, fragrant, complex aromas of sweet cherries, spice box, loamy soil, earth, and flowers soar from the glass of this deep ruby/purple-tinged St.-Emilion. There is not a hard edge to be found in this quintessentially elegant yet densely concentrated, savory wine. With sweet tannin, a layered texture, and wonderful freshness as well as vivacity, it should be at its peak between 2010-2025. – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 91-94 points

Very dark crimson. Sweet, spicy, neat. Really quite sophisticated and lively. A delicate St-Émilion and therefore unusual but a pretty wine, though there’s a bit of sweet oak in evidence. Drink 2015–25 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17 points

Reserved and effortlessly stylish. Velvety tannins, warm ripe black cherry berry melange, toasty oak. Wonderful integration. Layered and complex - continues to unravel layers of beautiful fruit on the finish. Such promise of what is yet to come… - armit 19 points

I’m not going out on a limb saying the 2005 Ausone is better than the 2003, 2000, etc., but it is certainly at the same level. It is a wine of great intensity with extraordinary extract as well as a seamless integration of huge levels of tannin and alcohol. Amazingly deep and multilayered, but so ethereal it must be tasted to be believed, it is a rich, full-throttle offering that should outlive us all. It should not be consumed before 2020, but I suspect 95% of it will be long gone by then. Kudos to Alain Vauthier for pushing the envelope as far as anyone in Bordeaux is doing today. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2100! Drink 2020-2100 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 96-100 points

Loads of blackberry, spice and toasted oak character. Full-bodied, with layers of velvety tannins and amazing fruit. Long and seductive. Layered. This could be even better than the 2003 and 2000. Fantastic. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Exceptionally deep, blackish, leathery nose – brilliant intensity. Smooth ripe mulberries and tar as well. All very well melded. Very rich and round and concentrated. Extremely intense. Lovely satin texture – very stereotype ‘masculine’ and almost brutal on the palate. Extraordinary intensity but this will have to be kept a LONG time. Beef extract yet freshness. Great density and yet finesse too. Very dry. Definitely meaty. Drink 2016–30 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18.5 points

Scent of leather and plums. The most attractive Belair that I have tasted since 1989. Lovely wines with an unaccustomed generosity of ripe rich fruit on the palate, and with a good long lasting structure. Extremely persistent and pure. John Armit – armit 18 points

Price per case IB £330 BUY

Probably the finest Belair I have ever tasted, proprietor Pascal Delbeck has fashioned a deep ruby-hued 2005 with a sweet bouquet of black cherries, earth, forest floor, and spice. A steely backbone gives structure to this medium-bodied, elegant, generously concentrated St.-Emilion. It will benefit from 5-6 years of cellaring, and should keep for two decades. Drink 2011-2026 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 87-89 points

Intense aromas of blackberry and hints of wet earth. Full-bodied, with round tannins and a fresh, fruity finish. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Very dark purple. Slightly burnt, overripe aromas. Rather mossy and autumnal (not a common descriptor in 2005) on the nose. Very rich beginning – quite meaty/savoury and then very dry tannins on the finish. Deep and dense. Very correct. Quite light front-palate impact and rather a hole in the middle. Certainly a cool rather than hot finish. Fine tannins on the finish. A little bit too dry on the finish but not too overdone. Drink 2013–24 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17 points

Grainy, earthy black fruits. Smooth textures, fine substance, massive tannins that will require patience. - armit 16 points

Price per case IB £525 BUY

The qualitative equal of this estate’s top-notch 2000, 1998, and 1990, the 2005 Canon-La-Gaffeliere is a stunning effort from proprietor Stephan von Neipperg. A blend of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, it possesses complex, fragrant aromas of spice box, black currants, sweet cherries, and licorice. Dense, opulent, full-bodied, pure, and layered, it is an impressively endowed St.-Emilion that should evolve slowly, and last for 15 or more years. Drink 2006-2021 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 92-94 points

This is very concentrated on the nose, with blackberry and violets. Full-bodied, with masses of tannins and bright fruit. It goes on and on and on. Exceptional. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Very dark, blackish crimson. Mossy, savoury, autumn mulch aromas. Very energetic and opulent and well managed. Intense in terms of colour but lovely smooth, unforced texture. Cool finish. Excellently friendly vintage expression chock full of well-handled ripe fruit. Fine tannins emerge only on the finish. Long. Very clever winemaking. Drink 2012–27 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17.5 points

Liquid velvet. Rich forest fruits, layers of cloves, cedar, violets and liqourice. Cool and collected tannin structure. This will need time to settle. - armit 18.5 points

A prodigious Cheval Blanc that should challenge the 2000 and 1998 as the finest Cheval since the 1990, the 2005's final blend consisted of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. The Merlot harvest began on September 15th and lasted until the Cabernet Franc was finished around October 6th. Administrator Pierre Lurton told me, “I prefer to pick the Merlot a little early, and the Cabernet Franc a little late.” The deep ruby/purple-colored 2005 reveals an extraordinary projected, surreal bouquet of menthol, red, blue, and black fruits, and hints of mocha, licorice, and sweet oak. This opulent, tremendously concentrated Cheval Blanc possesses undeniable finesse, elegance, and freshness as well as a vibrant, nuanced, delineated personality. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030+. The estate’s second wine, the 2005 Le Petit Cheval (55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc) is one of the better efforts over recent years. Drink 2014-2030 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 95-98 points

I am not sure what to say about the nose. It''s so complex, with minerals, berries, wet earth and light vanilla. Turns to licorice and mint. Full-bodied, with amazing tannins and a long, long finish. This is so refined and long. Pure silk. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Very dark and lustrous. Much more obviously Cabernet Franc than the Petit Cheval – quite rigorous and yet still ripe though with some really aromatic leafiness – in the appetising rather than underripe spectrum. Even a hint of black pepper. Extremely broad and ripe and sumptuous. Full, sweet yet with lovely lift and lustrousness – it does seem less earthbound than some recent vintages. Certainly very, very ripe. The finest tannins – like the threads in a silk shawl. A lovely skein of flavours. So very, very neat and confident. Great freshness! Very reminiscent of older classic Cheval vintages – 1983 with a bit more flesh? Drink 2015–35 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 19+ points

Great power, not at all forced. Wild berry fruits with feral, savoury notes poking through. Lovely drive on the finish and boasting great length. Watch out for those tannins, they will require patience. - armit 17 points

Price per case IB £680 BUY

The best Figeac since the 2000 and 1990, this dense plum/ruby/purple-tinged 2005 offers up sweet aromas of creosote, incense, fruitcake, black cherries, and cassis. With soft but noticeable tannin this impeccably elegant, medium-bodied, authoritatively-flavored, pure, long wine will be drinkable between 2009-2020. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 91-94 points

This shows wonderful chocolate, berry and floral aromas. Full-bodied, with velvety yet firm tannins. It caresses and lasts for minutes on the palate. This is a great Figeac. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Mid crimson – paler than most. Simple fruit flavours with some freshness. Very cool palate impression with fine tannins obvious only on the finish. As usual, a relatively muted wine at this early stage. Very dry tannins on the finish for the moment but a good effort. - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17+ points

Grand Mayne 2005, Grand Cru Classé St.-Emilion

Fine notes of ripe blueberries, plums and cream. Rich, opulent and inviting with a wonderfully polished finish. Lovely balance and intensity. – armit 16.5 points

Price per case IB £245 SOLD OUT

Gorgeous nose of crushed berry and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and silky tannins. Very pretty. – James Suckling, The Wine Spectator 89-91 points

The best Grand-Mayne since the blockbuster 1998, the inky/ruby/purple-colored 2005 reveals hints of blueberries, pain grille, crushed rocks, and white flowers. Boasting superb intensity, purity, body, and unctuosity along with an endearing freshness and vibrancy that provide definition and uplift, it will be drinkable upon release, and evolve for 15-20 years.
– Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 91-93 points

Full ruby-red. Superripe aromas of kirsch and bitter chocolate; slightly porty. Then dense and chocolatey in the mouth, with very ripe currant flavor firmed by menthol and sound acidity. I like the sugar/acid balance here, but the wine comes across as a bit beefy and aggressive, and the finish shows a dry edge. Seems rather oaky, if not heavily extracted, but there's strong material here. - Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar 87-89 points

Laroze 2005, Grand Cru Classé St.-Emilion

Bright, cherry and red fruit notes, medium-bodied and a touch of spice. Gentle textures but firm tannins that will need a few years to soften. Nice freshness, savoury edge, should be excellent value – armit 15.5 points

Price per case IB £165 BUY

Gentle, classic, silky style. Liqourice, cherry liqueur, spice and coffee notes dominate the palate. Elegant, graceful but with plenty of backbone. Showing excellent complexity already. - armit 17 points

Price per case IB £490 SOLD OUT

Magdelaine typically reveals a distinctive bouquet of kirsch liqueur interwoven with licorice and resiny pine forest notes. The medium-bodied 2005 is quintessentially elegant, but with plenty of structure, muscle, and depth. It should be at its best in 4-5 years, and last for 15-18. Drink 2010-2024 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 89-91 points

Soft and fruity with lots of berry, chocolate and raspberry character. Medium- to full-bodied, fine tannins and a long caressing finish. Very refined. Could move up a notch. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 89-91 points

Not especially deep crimson. Aromatic and cleansing somehow on the nose. Very gentle and sweet, as though picked relatively early with lots of natural freshness and zip and not enormous concentration. Very appetising. Will surely always be on the more playful side of St-Émilion in 2005? J P Moueix. - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17 points

Dark, dense attack, full of bitter chocolate, coffee, meat extract. Big, powerful, unashamedly rich. – armit 15 points

Price per case IB £300 BUY

There are 7,000 cases of this 60% Merlot/30% Cabernet Franc/10% Cabernet Sauvignon blend from the home estate of Chantal and Gerard Perse. Although this is not considered to be one of St.-Emilion’s finest terroirs, everything is done in an artisinal manner - including hand harvesting, hand sorting, a draconian selection in both the vineyard and the cellars, and Burgundy-like treatments of malolactic in barrel and aging sur-lie. Monbousquet has been a stunning success ever since Perse took over the property. Earlier vintages continue to suggest that this cuvee has far greater longevity than expected given the opulence and enormous fruit. For example, the 1998 and 1999 remain infants in terms of development, and the 1995 is just coming into a pre-adolescent stage. The 2005 (13.5% alcohol) possesses a saturated blue/purple color as well as a big, sweet nose of pain grille, roasted herbs, grilled meats, black cherry jam, blackberries, and spice. Powerful, full-bodied, and dense yet elegant, deep, and layered, its pure fruit, concentration, and overall quality hide the moderately high tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2023. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 92-94 points

Mineral and blackberry, with violet. Full-bodied, with racy tannins and lots of flavor and style. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

The greatest La Mondotte since the 2000 and 1998, the 2005 (which was cropped at 20 hectoliters per hectare) possesses a black/purple color in addition to a sweet bouquet of graphite, espresso roast, pain grille, blackberries, and cherries. Textured, full-bodied, powerful, and gorgeously proportioned, it was fashioned from a classic combination of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%). Anticipated maturity: 2011-2026. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 94-96 points

Fabulous aromas of blackberries and black licorice. Hints of flowers. Full-bodied, with lots of velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Massive. Pure fruit. Incredible. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Dark purplish crimson. Still in malo. Rich and very ripe flavours – then very gentle tannins and general palate feel. Quite a knife-edge wine with all that ripeness… Should get there in the end though there is a certain sweet inkiness at present. Drink 2013-25 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17.5 points

Delicious. Freshly crushed black cherry berry mélange, grainy tannins and a fine energy about it. Pure, persistent finish. - armit 15.5+

Price per case IB £170 BUY

Bright aromas of licorice and blackberry. Full-bodied, silky and refined. Lovely. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 89-91 points

Deep, dense black fruits -oodles of plums and blueberries, cream and wood tannins. Very good length. Not the most subtle of wines, but certainly full of impact. - armit 16.5 points

Price per case IB POA SOLD OUT

It is increasingly apparent that the simplistic bashing by some wine writers of Gerard Perse and his wines as well as the “American taste,” is undermining their credibility ... as it should. As each new vintage gets released, consumers can taste Pavie and the other Perse wines and see for themselves how profound Pavie is. There is a reason why the highly respected Grand Jury European rated Pavie ahead of all other Bordeaux chateaux in 2000 and 1999. It is obviously a profound wine. When Jean-Francois Moueix (the owner of Petrus) and I were discussing this, he mentioned that his late father, Jean-Pierre, always believed that after Ausone, Pavie possessed the greatest terroir of St.-Emilion. While it was never exploited to its full potential by its previous owners, Gerard Perse has brought it to the forefront, consistently making one of the top wines of Bordeaux. Moreover, Perse’s offerings are meant to age for five or more decades. It’s hard to judge at this early stage whether the 2005 will be better than the 2003 or 2000, but it is unquestionably a thrilling wine to smell, taste, and reflect upon. Only 7,000 cases are produced from this 112-acre vineyard with an extraordinary exposition. In 2005, yields were a minuscule 30 hectoliters per hectare, the average age of the vines is 43 years, and the blend was 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine receives a 4-5 week maceration, malolactic in barrel a la top Burgundies, and aging on its lees. Perse, who neither fines nor filters, ages the wine for 26 months in barrel. He has recently gone to the additional expense of buying his own trees and having the wood air-dried and coopered to his specifications by the cooperage firm of Sylvain and Nadalie. The 2005 Pavie is reminiscent of some of the great 1900s, 1929s, 1945s, and 1949s. Inky/purple to the rim, with that extraordinary liqueur of minerals interwoven with creme de cassis, blackberries, and juicy cherries, it reveals a subtle note of smoky oak, massive body, a multilayered mid-palate and texture, incredibly high tannin, and dramatic levels of fruit, glycerin, and extract. The alcohol came in at 14% naturally in 2005, higher than in either 2000 or 2003. This is a wine of extraordinary purity, precision, and monumental aspirations. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 98-100 points

This is a blockbuster. Massive wine, with pure crushed blackberries and hints of wood on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, chewy and wonderful. Pavie is amazing this year. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Under the skillful hand of Stéphane Derenoncourt, Pavie Macquin boasts an incredible nose, modern but in no way overblown. Well-textured, rich and full with a punch of perfectly ripe black berry and cherry fruit. Finely polished, firm tannins. Immaculately made. - armit 17.5 points

Price per case IB £450 SOLD OUT

Looking more like a young vintage port than a Bordeaux, Pavie-Macquin’s inky/purple-colored 2005 exhibits notes of graphite, melted licorice, espresso roast, crushed rocks, white flowers, blackberries, and creme de cassis. Packed and stacked and stuffed with extract, power, and tannin, this 75% Merlot/20% Cabernet Franc/5% Cabernet Sauvignon blend’s technical numbers are unprecedented. It should enjoy a remarkably long life of three decades or more. The 2005 is capable of challenging this estate’s brilliant 2003 and 2000. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 94-96 points

Aromas of licorice and blackberry. Violets. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and lots of berry and cherry character. A blockbuster. Is it better than 2003? We will see. This is monumental. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 95-100 points

Very dark and shiny/healthy-looking. Extremely opulent nose – almost Napa Valley! Certainly stands out… There is freshness here – in fact almost a hint of green leaves – but there is zest too and actually very very hidden tannins. Herby, aromatic. Quite lightweight but straightforward for early drinking. This has the freshness of 2005 and honest attack. It’s fairly simple though and arguably just too much acidity. Very disjointed between nose and palate at the moment. Some substance though for ageing. Still in malo…? Drink 2012–19 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 15.5+ points

As exuberant and fleshy as previous vintages, such as 1998, but with a much more attractive price tag! Bramble apples and cherries abound, tannins finely grained, and a balanced, persistent finish. - armit 16 points

Price per case IB £250 SOLD OUT

Proprietor Alain Raynaud has produced a beautifully elegant, noble, racy 2005 Quinault l’Enclos that ranks alongside his 1998, 2000, and 2001. A blend of 77% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon (the average age of the vines is 50 years), it was cropped at 32 hectoliters per hectare, and receives the Burgundian treatment of malolactic in barrel, aging on its lees for 6-10 months, and no filtering at bottling. The inky/blue/purple-tinged 2005 reveals a pure nose of charcoal, spring flowers, sweet raspberries, black cherries, and cassis. The wine is gorgeously textured, medium-bodied, and elegant yet intensely flavored with a power and texture that build on the palate. The tannin is sweet, but noticeable, and the finish is long. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 92-95 points

Aromas of blackberry, cherry and chocolate follow through to a medium- to-full body, with fine tannins and a medium finish. Lacks a little bit at the end. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 85-88 points

La Serre 2005, Grand Cru St.-Emilion

Another stalwart of the Moueix stable and a popular contender for ''value wine of the vintage'', La Serre is finely knit, fruit driven, wonderfully ripe and great value for money. - armit 15.5 points

Price per case IB £185 BUY

From a vineyard planted on pure limestone, the 2005 La Serre reveals a deep plum/ruby color, terrific fruit, and a sweet nose of licorice, herbs, black cherries, and cassis. Medium to full-bodied with more flesh, structure, and intensity compared to previous vintages, it will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age, and should last for 15+. Drink 2008-2021 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 89-91 points

Very deep purple. Low-key nose but clearly lots of density. Quite floral fragrance. Sweet, juicy crackling fruit on the front palate. Very finely knit. Should have a long period of drinkability. Refreshing finish. Moueix. Drink 2013–25 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 16.5 points

Crushed berries and flowers on the nose. Full-bodied, with soft tannins and lots of berry and chocolate flavors on the finish. Gorgeous. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 89-91 points

Attractive scent of liquorice. Intense, brooding wine, massive, powerful, huge tannic structure, great depth of flavour. Persistent, massive and impressive, a wine to be admired and to be patient with. - John Armit 18.5 points

Price per case IB £875 SOLD OUT

A blockbuster, extraordinarily profound effort from proprietor Christine Valette, the 2005 Troplong Mondot is the finest wine she has made since the other-worldly 1990. It dense black color is followed by a stupendous bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, truffles, graphite, and smoke. It cascades over the palate with exquisite density, purity, full-bodied power, and remarkable freshness as well as delineation. This magical wine somehow manages to harness extraordinary power and structure with a sense of delicacy and finesse. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025+. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 96-100 points

Aromas of blackberry, toasted oak and vanilla. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. So velvety. Seductive. - James Suckling, winespectator.com 92-94 points

Dark purple. Rather savoury and dense. Lots of voluptuous fruit and heady, tarry flavours with a strong liquorice element and pretty dry tannins but there is beguiling silky fruit in the middle. Someone here has run with the concept that this is an exceptional vintage and the wine deserves to be exceptional in style but it’s not a trial to taste or drink! Clean, brisk finish. Drink 2014–26 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17+ points

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