My favourites for drinking now are Belair, Beychevelle, Gruaud Larose, Duhart Milon, Branaire Ducru and surprisingly Ducru Beaucaillou, which was sensationally good - and was probably the standout - at a Ducru Vertical in Nov, featuring 18/16/10/05/00/95
Belair is so laidback and unforced, in stark contrast to some of the other right bank horrors that David G referred to, Beychevelle has been drinking well for a decade, Gruaud and Duhart are light touch with so much finesse for this vintage, Branaire and Batailley very good too.
Looking forward to doing a few 2005 events in London this year, to get 20 year updates.
Victor will be pouring it btg at the noodle shop; you’ll have to drink it standing up at first, but after he’s poured off the first few cases he will be able to afford some chairs.
2005 Chateau Caronne Ste Gemme is outstanding right now, I’ve got 4 bottles left, will probably drink a few in the next few months, the last couple in a year.
There’s some of that in my dad’s cellar. One I opened over Christmas was pretty darned good. A prior bottle not so much. Hope the rest of them are good ones.
Modern era Gruaud is seriously underrated IMO. Including by critics. It has a very light touch and is never overdone, but somehow has more substance than lower rung wines like Branaire. Surprised AFWE types like Alfert aren’t attracted to it.
Haven’t seen one yet Howard. My approach to those already in the cellar is to serve them as cocktails to larger groups where no one gets more than a few oz or to give them as gifts to those who like the style.
I went through a case of that 2005 in its first decade, and it was great, as it kept on positively developing. Sad that it’s no longer a distinct label/brand/name anymore, but many happy memories. (Including a magnum of the 2000 that an old friend brought when he introduced me to his fiancee).
…which was a bottle of the 2005 de Cruzeau [Pessac Leognan] which I must have bought on/near release when I was living in that cruel crossfire between Yankeeslands and RedSox Nation. This rouge was brought over by WJ Deutsch, while I think the 2010 I had recently was from TW, as the Trones are tight with the Lurton clan, and must have had a different back label. The label notes 13% abv, with a cepage of 55CS / 43M / 2CF, and elevage for a year in French oak (half new). On the nose, it does show some Graves ‘scorch’ character, but also fennel and underbrush, with the overall feel of advanced maturity. The natural cork was perfect; sediment was heavy. The fruit is wan here, especially compared to other 2005, and there is still a touch of tannic structure, which does not soften over the days open. I enjoyed this but I’m guessing this would have been better at age ten, rather than today at twenty, which I think is the winemaker’s intent anyways. Overall solid enough midweek Bordeaux, but I don’t feel the need to try more/different/future vintages, and I’ll slot this into the B zone, which is the result of my taste in Bordeaux, versus what omnibibulous oenophiles might opine.
PS: it’s not clear from my coarse grading scale, but I did like the 2005 better than the 2010, feeling there was more AOC character in the former, but who knows if that was the weather / aging / techniques. Still, both are unremarkable B’s, even for a fan of the region, who’s been spoiled by the filtering / curation 6000+ miles creates.
Last bottle of 2005 Château Pontet-Canet I opened (2023ish) was like a Napa-knock-off mess. I bought this on release, stored in passive cellar (60-65) & then Eurocave (58-59) since release…and it’s just never hit when I opened them. It has never tasted like Bordeaux to me.
Fifth time I have had this wine. Decanted 4 hours before drinking. Moderate sediment. Garnet color. This wine was soft and integrated. Silky tannins with smoky red fruit mixed with leather and cardamom. Progressing very nicely at 20 years old but no rush to drink. 94-95 points
So far, I have drunk only lesser 2005 Grand Cru Classe, most recently Boyd-Cantenac. The nose is still a bit shy, but the taste of Margauxberries is strong.
These are my 2005 holdings, many in half bottle. I want to drink some to commemorate their 20th birthdays. Which are ready?
d’Armailhac
Batailley
Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre
Belair
Beychevelle
Boyd Cantenac
Brane Cantenac
Calon Segur
Cantemerle
Carbonnieux (rouge)
Carmes Haut Brion
Chauvin
Clos Rene
d’Issan
du Tertre
Duhart Milon
Figeac
La Gaffeliere
Giscours
Grand Puy Lacoste
Gruaud Larose
La Gurgue
Haut Batailley
Lagrange
Lagune
Lanessan
Magdelaine
Montrose
Prieuré Lichine
Roc de Cambes
Rouget
Siran
Sociando Mallet
St. Pierre
Tour Haut Brion
Tour St. Bonnet
