There was a time in the not too distant past when we got our wine news from magazines. When you anxiously awaited the vintage reports to come out and for Mr. Parker or Mr. Suckling or Ms. Robinson to declare the vintage good bad or otherwise. Once in awhile these critical voices would lineup in chorus to declare a vintage to be world class. Such was the case for the storied 2005 vintage.
As we started opening these wines and tasting the efforts, one thing was clear: this was a vintage for the ages and it would benefit from time in bottle. We weren’t the only ones who thought so as Robert Parker went back in 2015 and ended up elevating some of his ratings to a perfect 100 points. In fact only the 2009 vintage had more “perfect” wines than 2005.
We are extremely fortunate to be able to present a selection of this incredible vintage for you including some of the 100 point big boys.
2005 ANGÉLUS, ST. EMILION (MAGNUM)
$920/bottle
100 points, Robert Parker
Truly great stuff, this wine performed at a three-digit level both in the horizontal tasting of 2005s in Baltimore, as well as in Montreal at this mini-vertical. This sensational, opaque, bluish/purple wine offers up notes of vanillin, spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, plus a touch of licorice. The wine hits the palate with a thunderous cascade of ripe, rich, concentrated fruit. It is full-bodied, multidimensional and layered. The tannins are beautifully integrated but still present, and the wood, acidity, alcohol, etc., are all beautifully assimilated in this magnificent, majestic vintage of Angelus. It can be drunk now, but it is still an adolescent and that suggests it has at least another 25-35 years of longevity.
2005 LOUIS JADOT GRAND CRU, CLOS SAINT-DENIS
$180/bottle
92-94 points, Robert Parker
Cherry, raspberry and resin also dominate the nose of the 2005 Clos St.-Denis, with almond and cherry pit notes emerging with air. Rich but clear in the mouth, this displays formidable tannins, yet at the same time an emerging creaminess. Pure fresh fruit allied to low-toned smoky, stony notes inform one of the longest finishes of any of Jadot’s wines. This surely has more than a decade of aging potential during which it can be expected to pick up further complexities and nuances, though here, too, a good bet seems to be that it will harden in the short run.
2005 LA CONSEILLANTE, POMEROL
$250/bottle
97 points, Robert Parker
Displaying spectacular aromatics of mulberry, blueberry and raspberry fruit, a dense ruby/purple color, and sweet floral notes, in the mouth the 2005 La Conseillante is not as broad and powerful as Petrus, Trotanoy, Hosanna or Lafleur, but it is gorgeously silky, elegant and stylish. This medium-bodied, savory wine is a graceful, provocative and compelling Pomerol to drink now and over the next 25 years.
