2005 Bordeaux

First Flight

Wine

Votes

Name, Region & Price

Tasting Notes

1

14

Beychevelle – St. Julien
4th Growth
$79.99/bottle

Tight nose with sour cherry, cedar and tobacco leaf hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and moderate tannin. Good balance. Tight on the palate with black cherry, tar, cocoa and lavender notes. Moderate length with dried herb, cinnamon and allspice on the aftertaste. Lightly floral. Needs time, 10-15 years+ (my favorite of the flight).

2

13

Lafon Rochet – St. Estephe
3rd Growth
$64.99/bottle

Tight nose with black cherry and earthy hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and firm, dry tannin. Good balance. Tight on the palate with black cherry, bittersweet chocolate and fresh mint. Moderate length – very closed and tight finish. Needs time, 15-20 years+ (my second favorite of the flight).

3

12

Prieure Lichine – Margaux
4th Growth
$63.99/bottle

Bright, lively nose with black cherry, cassis, mint and eucalyptus. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and firm dry tannin. Good balance. Youthful and little rough. Moderate length with black cherry, leather and tobacco leaf on the aftertaste. Needs time, 7-10 years+.

4

2

Grand Puy Lacoste – Pauillac
5th Growth
$119.99/bottle

Muted nose with some black cherry and anise hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and moderate tannin. Good balance. Dried cherry and mint on the palate. Moderate length – closed with some mineral and earth notes. Needs time, 7-10 years+.

Second Flight

Wine

Votes

Name, Region & Price

Tasting Notes

1

22

Lagrange – St. Julien
3rd Growth
$69.99/bottle

Lush nose with dense cherry fruit, tar and rose petal hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and firm, dry tannin. Good balance. Lovely palate with blackberry, black cherry, tar, cocoa and deep, dark chocolate notes. Long finish with persistent tar and cocoa. Needs time, 20-25 years+ (my favorite of the flight).

2

9

Giscours – Margaux
3rd Growth
$84.99/bottle

Soft nose with black cherry and cassis hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and firm tannin. Good balance. Tight palate with black cherry and tobacco leaf. Long finish with anise and licorice on the aftertaste – very complex. Needs time, 15-20 years+.

3

5

Rauzan Segla – Margaux
4th Growth
$149.99/bottle

Fruity nose with black cherry, cassis and plum hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and firm tannin. Good balance. Tight palate with black cherry, eucalyptus and cedar notes. Long finish with tobacco and leather on the aftertaste. Needs time, 20-25 years+. Picked as the Wine Spectator #2 Wine of the Year, (my second favorite of the flight).

4

4

Calon Segur – St. Estephe
3rd Growth
$119.99/bottle

Lively nose with cedar, dried cherry, tobacco leaf and mineral hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and firm tannin. Good balance. Earthy palate with sour cherry and leather notes. Long finish with persistent cherry and leather on the aftertaste. Needs time, 10-15 years+.

Third Flight

Wine

Votes

Name, Region & Price

Tasting Notes

1

15

Leoville Poyferre – St. Julien
2nd Growth
$119.99/bottle

Tight nose – brooding and dark – black cherry with cassis and plum hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and firm tannin. Good balance. Tight palate with an intense black fruit core. Cherry, tar, cocoa and tobacco leaf. Long finish – tight with glimpses of intensity. Needs time, 25-30 years+ (my favorite of the flight).

2

11

Leoville Barton – St. Julien
2nd Growth
$169.99/bottle

Restrained nose with cherry, mint, leather and cedar hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and firm, dry tannin. Good balance. Tight palate – dark fruit core with some cherry and cassis notes. Long finish with tobacco and cedar on the aftertaste. Needs time, 20-25 years+.

3

7

Pichon Longueville Baron – Pauillac
2nd Growth
$219.99/bottle

Lush nose with dense fruits, cocoa and fresh mint hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and firm tannin. Good balance. Tight palate with a dark fruit core – black cherry, cassis and tobacco leaf. Moderate finish with persistent black cherry on the aftertaste. Needs time, 15-20 years+.

4

6

Montrose – St. Estephe
2nd Growth
$179.99/bottle

Bright, lively nose with fresh fruit, cherry, cinnamon, leather and cedar hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and moderate tannin. Tight palate with some cherry and allspice notes. Moderate length with black pepper and nutmeg on the aftertaste. Needs time, 10-15 years+ (my second favorite of the flight).

Fourth Flight

Wine

Votes

Name, Region & Price

Tasting Notes

1

18

Beausejour Becot – St. Emilion
1er Grand Cru Classe B $84.99/bottle

Tight nose with black cherry and vanilla hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and moderate tannin. Good balance. Plummy palate with dark fruits and sour cherry notes. Long finish with tobacco leaf on the aftertaste. Needs time, 10-15 years+ (my second favorite of the flight).

2

14

Le Gay – Pomerol
$179.99/bottle

Soft nose with black cherry and floral hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and moderate tannin. Good balance. Dense palate with loads of dark fruit. Cherry, plum and tobacco notes. Moderate length with spice, cinnamon and cedar on the aftertaste. Approachable, but needs time, 10-15 years+.

3

5

Canon La Gaffeliere – St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe
$119.99/bottle

Vibrant nose with cedar, vanilla and dried herb hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and moderate tannin. Good balance. Dense, dark fruit core with mineral, tobacco and toffee notes. Long finish with black cherry, leather, vanilla and mint on the aftertaste. Very complex and layered. Needs time, 10-15 years+ (my favorite of the flight).

4

3

Gracia – St. Emilion
Grand Cru Classe
$199.99/bottle

Soft nose with cherry and vanilla hints. Full-bodied with moderate acidity and firm, dry tannin. Good balance. Tight palate with sour cherry, cassis and cedar notes. Moderate length – tough and closed with sour cherry on the aftertaste. Needs time, 20-25 years+.

Fifth Flight

Wine

Votes

Name, Region & Price

Tasting Notes

N/A

N/A

2005 Guiraud - Sauternes
1st Growth
$89.99/bottle

Delicate nose with light floral and honey hints. Medium-bodied with moderate acidity. Well balanced. Lovely palate with apricot, honeysuckle, cream and honey notes. Moderate length – lovely. Drinking well and should improve with another 10-15 years in bottle.