2005 Chateau de Lamarque

Most Medoc Cru Bourgeois need 10 years in good vintages. But I remembered that this is usually a lightweight so pulled the cork. Good move as this is lovely and probably at its best.
Medium garnet color. Nice aromas of red currants with some cedar and mineral. Medium bodied on the palate, plenty of currants and a hint of tobacco speak to a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. There are fine but vigorous tannins and a surprisingly long finish. This lacks the weight and intensity of many Cru Bourgeois but was a pleasure on a cool evening. The best part of this wine is excellent balance. It is a foursquare, midweight wine but very harmonious. Rated 88.82 and fully mature as there is not enough stuffing to balance the tannins down the road.

Dan Kravitz

This is an old and honorable estate with one of the most impressive châteaux in the Médoc, dating back much earlier than most of them.

When people say Bordeaux is expensive, they certainly don’t have wines such as this in mind!

Which is why I contend that selected medium range Bordeaux is tremendous value for money.

And, yes, you don’t have to keep all Bordeaux for decades! Wines such as this can, as you pointed out, be delightful after 5 or 6 years.

Best regards,
Alex R.