2005 Magnum Madness
2005 Bellisle Mondotte (6 Magnums) $74.99
Unquestionably the best example of Bellisle-Mondotte (which lives in the shadow of its neighbor, La Mondotte) I have yet tasted, the 2005 exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with sweet black fruit notes interwoven with new oak, licorice, and loamy soil undertones. Medium to full-bodied, moderately tannic, fresh, lively, and vibrant, it will provide enjoyable drinking over the next 15 years.
2005 Beychevelle (1 Magnum) $139.99
While this is a strong effort from a property that too often does not live up to its pedigree, I had hoped the 2005 Beychevelle would merit an even higher score. A deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a sweet perfume of roasted herbs, black cherries, and even blacker fruits. The wine is medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin, good acidity, and a fruitcake-like spiciness and earthiness. Pure and long with a tannic clout that is neither intrusive nor excessive, this elegant, powerful effort should be at its finest between 2017-2030
2005 Cap de Faugeres (3 Magnums) $44.99
Always one of the top Cotes de Castillons, the 2005 Cap des Faugeres is revealing more rustic tannin than it did from barrel, but it is weighty, deep, rich effort offering a flamboyant nose of black fruits, coffee, chocolate, and toasty oak. While dense and full-bodied, the rough tannin in the finish suggests it will benefit from another year or so of bottle age; it should keep for a decade.
2005
Another sleeper of the vintage, this deep ruby/purple-colored wine possesses sweet floral, cranberry and blackberry notes along with a hint of cold steel. Medium-bodied, ripe, and forward, with loads of fruit, glycerin, and soft tannin, it should be consumed during its first 7-8 years of life.
2005 Giscours (6 Magnums)** $149.99
This forward-styled 2005 possesses a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a big, sweet bouquet of roasted herbs, fudge, espresso, figs, and cherry jam. Opulent, even decadent, with low acidity, but high glycerin and fruit extract as well as a flamboyant fleshiness, this is a stunningly impressive, hedonistic, savory Margaux to enjoy between 2010-2025.
2005 Grand Puy Lacoste (4 Magnums)** $199.99
The brilliant 2005 Grand-Puy-Lacoste exhibits classic Pauillac aromas and flavors of creme de cassis along with stony/floral notes. Proprietor Xavier Borie has created a wine that should rival the brilliant 1982, 1990, 1996, and 2000. Full-bodied with sweet tannin and superb length (a 40+ second finish), the purity of this beauty's black currant fruit is something to behold. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2030.
2005 La Graviere (12 Magnums) $79.99
Soft, heady, lush black cherry fruit interwoven with chocolate and coffee bean notes are followed by a sweet, fleshy, mouthfilling, hedonistic wine. Drink this medium-bodied wine over the next 5-6 years.
2005 Haut Bergey (3 Magnums)** $79.99
One of the finest under-the-radar estates in Pessac-Leognan, Haut-Bergey's 2005 (a blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot) offers up aromas of scorched earth, wet stones, burning embers, charcoal, and copious black currant and cherry fruit. The sumptuous bouquet is accompanied by a full-bodied wine displaying dazzling purity, sweet tannin, and a long, opulent finish. This beauty will be drinkable at a relatively early age for a 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.
2005 L'Arrosee (6 Magnums) $169.99
This estate's new proprietor has hit a home run, producing l'Arrosee's finest wine since the early eighties, when a bevy of top clarets (1982, 1985, 1986) were produced. Somewhat reminiscent of a
2005 Lynch Bages (1 Magnum) $199.99
This outstanding effort is slightly lighter, more streamlined and delicate than followers of Lynch Bages have come to expect after such great vintages as 1982, 1989, 1990, 1996, and 2000. A deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a classic
2005 Malartic Lagraviere (6 Magnums) $99.99
Perhaps the strongest wine I have ever tasted from Malartic Lagravière, the 2005 has a dense ruby/purple color and a wonderfully sweet nose of crème de cassis, graphite, and soil undertones. Medium-bodied., smoky, with classic scorched earth, Graves-like aromatics and flavors, this wine displays impeccable winemaking, with pure fruit, medium body, and gorgeously long, rich flavors and moderate levels of tannin. The wine should be relatively drinkable in 3-5 years and last for at least two decades or more. This is possibly the finest Malartic Lagravière ever made. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025
2005 Marquis d'Aleme Becker (12 Magnums) $54.99
A pleasant, picnic-styled 2005, this wine offers sweet cherry and currant fruit, a medium ruby/purple color, moderate body, light tannin, and a short finish ... especially for the vintage
2005 Petit Bosq (12 Magnums) $44.99
No tasting notes found
2005 Prieure Lichine (12 Magnums)** $109.99
The finest Prieure-Lichine I have ever tasted, the sensational 2005 has unquestionably benefitted from the improvements made at this property as well as the consultation work of Stephane Derenoncourt. Its dense purple color is accompanied by a glorious perfume of forest floor, blackberries, incense, and cassis. Opulent, with sweet tannin for the vintage, excellent purity, and a savory, broad, expansive mouthfeel that lingers on the palate, it possesses the delicacy of a terrific Margaux as well as enough concentration and power to give it an extra dimension. This wine should be drinkable in 4-5 years, and last for 25 or more. Bravo!
2005 Quinault L'Enclos (6 Magnums) $109.99
The well-known winemaking consultant, Dr. Alain Raynaud, is the proprietor of this estate. The 2005 Quinault l'Enclos is a pure, elegant, stylish wine from a blend of 70% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and an unusual 6% Malbec. This highly-focused wine exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue in addition to a beautiful bouquet of black raspberries, blueberries, camphor, spring flowers, and spice box. With superb concentration, a hint of minerals, and a lovely textured mouthfeel, it should be approachable in 5-6 years, and age easily for two decades or more.
2005 Reignac (12 Magnums)** $54.99
Possibly the finest Reignac I have ever tasted from proprietor Yves Vatelot, this superlative blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon is treated like a spoiled child, aged on its lees, and bottled unfiltered. There are over 16,000 cases of this cuvee, which should be uncommonly long-lived for a wine of this pedigree. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by a sweet nose of blackberries, cherries, smoke, and pain grille. Deep, full-bodied, moderately tannic, fresh, and well-delineated, with 14% natural alcohol, it should drink well for 10-12 years.
2005 La Rouselle (12 Magnums) $39.99
A sleeper of the vintage, this intriguing blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Cabernet Franc reveals a deep ruby/purple color, serious concentration, a full-bodied, powerful palate (13.6% natural alcohol), loads of tannin, and fabulous stuffing as well as richness. It should handsomely repay 15 or more years of cellaring.
** Wines have not arrived as yet
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