What 2005 Bordeaux are you drinking?

Branaire seems to never disappoint but it never has the density of a wine like Leoville Barton which really has become my favorite St Julien (above even LLC and Ducru.)

I think they are two different wines, Brainaire always seems more perfumed and elegant to me, whereas LB is more stoic, like old aristocracy. Love them both! I probably own more LB than any other wine from this appellation but will admit to backfilling quite a bit on LLC. I’m still bitter about some tainted wines by Ducru in the mid-80s! #NeverForget. :wink:

I last tasted the Branaire a couple of years ago, and felt that it was the finest wine I have tasted from the estate. While normally, I think of it as a third tier wine, this was a second borderline first tier.

I think they are very different - my point is I find Branaire lighter and more of a wine to drink sooner whereas LB is more of vin de garde.

I have a couple more bottles of the 1982 but I do think they need to be consumed.

2005 Lascombes. This has settled nicely - a perfumed nose and still a bit of forward fruit. Some earthy notes - went well with the mushroom ravioli.

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Over a couple of nights, a 2005 La Fleur de Jaugue [St Emilion] purchased EP from Zachys, showed incredibly well. It’s hard to find this out west, and comments across vintages are scant, but I’ve been pleased with vintages from 1995-2005, and thought this medium weight, merlot dominant blend was the best year I have tasted. Texturally the tannin has melted, acid is low, fruit is sweet and there is lots of sediment in bottle as well as the last glasses. On the nose - some mulberry then cocoa on the tongue, This is lovely at age 20, although I did prefer it on the first of two nights. If I remember correctly, one reason why information/commentary is scant (beyond the low production) is that this is some kind of tete de cuvee of Cruzeau, which is not obvious to enthusiasts, even if motivated. For my tastes, it’s an A- on my ledger. Style wise this is slightly more lush, modern but it does NOT have any gooey, torrefacted, late picked character.

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Open for business, classic Bordeaux perfume. Some funk, pencil and dark cassis.

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