2005 Bordeaux - Saint-Estèphe

This is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon (as ripe and impressive as Madame Gasqueton has ever seen) and 40% Merlot. The Merlot was harvested between September 15-22 and the Cabernet Sauvignon was brought in during the first two weeks of October. The result is a classic Calon-Segur exhibiting a dense purple color, ripe black cherry, cassis, smoke, earth, and new oak characteristics, powerful but sweet tannin, a huge texture, and broad, concentrated flavors. It will undoubtedly close down after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030+. Drink 2012-2030 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 93-96 points

Dark-colored, with beautiful aromas of chocolate, spices and violets. Full-bodied, with superfine tannins and a long, long finish. Fresh and refined. A beauty. This is such a pleasure to taste. - James Suckling, The Wine Spectator 92-94 points

Solid, dense, for the moment a bit obdurate. Strange sandpaper nose. Big and bold and zappy though pretty strict and slightly mentholated on the palate. Firm aand chunky – much less sophisticated than Montrose and less intense than Cos. Big, bold, direct. A little less concentrated on the front palate than I was expecting though it certainly glows with life and should never disappoint. A little bit of sweetness. A little bit rustic. Falls away a little on the finish. Needs a lot of time. Very very solid. Drink 2016–28 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17+ points

A big success for Jean Guillaume Prats. Smoky, earthy, spicy nose followed by a rich, meaty, but well-balanced explosion on the mid-palate. Incredible concentration of rich dense black fruits, mocha, spice and chocolate with powerful tannins to match. The finish seems endless….Undoubtedly a Grand Vin. - armit 19 points

Price per case IB £1200 - SOLD OUT

The 2005 Cos d’Estournel is made from an unusual blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. The Merlot was picked during the last nine days of September, and the Cabernets were finished by the 9th of October. The 2005's 13.85% alcohol is the highest this estate has ever achieved. The implementation of such Burgundian winemaking techniques as malolactic in barrel and aging on its lees are resulting in wines of extraordinary texture as well as elegance. The 2003 may be more opulent, and for my taste a more compelling wine, but the 2005 is at the same level. Made from yields of 40 hectoliters per hectare, it exhibits an inky/purple color as well as a gorgeous nose of sweet red and black fruits, camphor, cedar, and pain grille. Extraordinarily well-defined, nuanced, and powerful, with high tannin as well as magnificent texture and richness, this classic offering will be uncommonly long-lived. It will not be close to drinkability for another 5-7 years, and should last for 30 or more. A fabulous wine! Drink 2011-2036 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 95-97 points

Wonderful purity on the nose, with currants, berries and minerals. Spicy. Virginal Cabernet Sauvignon. Full-bodied, with very, very racy tannins that develop wonderfully on the palate. Expands on the palate. Cashmerelike texture. Goes on and on. Is it better than the 2003? - James Suckling, The Wine Spectator 95-100 points

Wonderfully intense, healthy purplish crimson. Restrained nose – rather cool impression despite the record alcohols that rose to 15 per cent for some Merlots. The finished wine is just below 14 per cent. Quite chewy and inky. There is obviously a lot of ripeness buried in here but that’s what it is for the moment – buried. A sure bet but it’s a monster for the moment. Very dry and Médoc and chewy. They have gone for max this year, and that means you will have to wait for max time for it to be ready. Less of a wine, more of a statement of intent. Jean-Guillaume Prats was perhaps aware that the first sample did not show perfectly so produced a second which was slightly more expressive. Drink 2020–35 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18 points

Price per case IB £160 SOLD OUT

Round and fruity, with lots of berry and mineral character. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Pretty. - James Suckling, The Wine Spectator 89-91 points

Exceptionally dark colour. Low-key nose but very deep and dark and concentrated. Full, sweet, round and ample. Very charming. Dry but not too tough. 13.2 per cent average alcohol with Merlot more than 14 per cent. A little bit dry and short on the finish. But hugely enjoyable even now! Drink 2013–23 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17 points

Sturdy, earthy nose with plenty of minerals and wet brick. Rich dollops of ripe black cherries and berries coat the palate, finely cased in a persistent tannin structure. Promise of a fine future. - armit 16.5 points

Price per case IB £240 BUY

Although it does not yet display much complexity, this stunning, opaque purple-colored wine exhibits sweet creme de cassis fruit, enormous concentration, loads of tannin, and superb purity as well as length. A medium to full-bodied, structured effort, it will require time in the bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025. - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 91-93 points

Blackberry with light spice and toasted oak character. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a sweet, ripe fruit finish. Yummy to taste. - James Suckling, The Wine Spectator 89-91 points

Quite light and fragrant – this wine sings already. Very classical build. Tannins well hidden – but not as concentrated and dense as some other 2005 St-Estèphes, which is by no means meant as a criticism! (London, 26 apr 05) Drink 2014–22 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 16.5 points

Fresh, forward rich and ripe minty blackcurrant fruit intermingled with bitter chocolate and earthy notes. Fine tannins, lovely length, classic and with fine potential. - armit 17 points

Price per case IB £175 - SOLD OUT

Space limitations did not allow complete tasting notes for this Cru Bourgeois, but 2005 is the finest vintage for these wines since 1982. The range of scores for these wines should give readers an idea of just how consistent this vintage is at this level. Given the style of the vintage, most of these wines should be accessible young yet evolve for a decade or more because of their concentration and tannic structure. Drink 2016 and after - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 86-88 points

Lovely spice berry and currant aromas. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a silky, fruity finish. Very balanced. Almost 89-91. - James Suckling, The Wine Spectator 85-88 points

Relatively pale crimson. Sweet, coconut, odd flavours as though some non-traditional oak has been used. Gamey, not classic St-Estèphe by any means. A bit tarty, sweet and souped-up. Tiring stale finish. A bit specious, Broadbent might say. Drink 2014–22
- Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 15 points

Hints of stones, minerals, ripe blackcurrants and rich black cherries. Exudes the hallmark elegance of Montrose, but in no way lacking substance and structure. Moutfilling and incredibly long. Very high quality and up there with the best. – armit 18.5 points

Price per case IB £700 - SOLD OUT

The big news in Bordeaux is the potential sale (it had not been finalized at the time of publication) of Chateau Montrose. The 2005 Montrose does not quite measure up to the 2003, but it is a beautiful effort. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc as well as a dollop of Petit Verdot, it possesses an inky/blue/purple color in addition to a sweet, provocative nose of creme de cassis, crushed rocks, graphite, and subtle wood. Medium to full-bodied, elegant yet powerful, fresh, and nuanced, the acids are higher and the pH lower in 2005 than in 2002. The 2005 should be a long-lived classic, but patience will be required despite the relatively high alcohol (13.2%), which is counterbalanced by some of the highest tannins ever measured. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035. Drink 2015-2035 - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 92-94 points

Raspberries, currants and spices on the nose. Full-bodied, with a very focused palate of fruit and fine tannins. Fresh finish. Long. Racy wine. - James Suckling, The Wine Spectator 92-94 points

Dark and chewy and much sweeter and less rigorous than usual. Perhaps because the tannins are so exceptionally ripe. Deep and dense with very fine depth – more lift than the samples of Cos tasted, though perhaps not the sheer density and solidity. Very fine dry mouthful. Fine tannins. Quite sinewy. Very nice neat refreshing though far from obtrusive acidity. Very fine and the power is relatively well hidden. The infamous IPT (tannin index) was apparently even higher here than a Cos – though perhaps we don’t want to get into a competition in this respect. Drink 2017–30 - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 18.5 points

Exotic nose, smoky, spicy with a touch of tar. Lovely complex mix, not overdone. Full of interest and excellent quality. – armit 17 points

Price per case IB £210 SOLD OUT

The strict selection for the grand vin has benefited the second wine, the 2005 Les Pagodes de Cos. A 50-50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is obviously much lighter, but still deliciously fruity, offering notions of graphite, blackberries, and cherries, fresh acidity, sweet tannin, and real elegance and complexity. This is no ordinary second wine. Drink it during its first 10-12 years of life. – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 88-90 points

Very attractive aromas of blackberries and currants follow through to a full body, with ultrafine tannins and a long, delicious finish. Very racy and linear. – James Suckling, The Wine Spectator 89-91 points

Very vibrant, dynamic nose – great intensity. Vigorous, savoury attack and then wonderfully opulent fruit. Lots of richness and ripe fruit but in a pretty strict corset of fine but very chewy tannin. Well done! Definitely St–Estèphe. Always instructive to taste at Cos immediatle after Lafite with Cos so very different and very St-Estèphe. Just falls away a little suddenly on the finish. Younger vine produce in here. - Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com 17+ points

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