Wine Enthusiast 94 points
The tannins dominate this dark, brooding wine. At this stage, it seems to have closed up, leaving the fruit and acidity buried. But with this concentration, the future looks promising. There is a long aging potential here.
THE VINTAGE
We can summarise the weather conditions of the 2005 vintage in three words: drought,sunshine and thermal amplitude. This is a superlatives year. 2005 vintage will remain in the memories with exceptional climatic conditions.
Blend 46% Cabernet Sauvignon | 45% Merlot | 9% Petit Verdot
Planting Density 8 700 to 10 000 vines / hectare
Harvest From September the 21th to October the 10th, 2005
Grapes are handpicked into individual crates
Vinification Plot by plot vinification
Thermoregulated stainless steel vats of variable capacity
Vinification at 26-28 °C during 15 to 22 days
Moderate pumping over every day, or delestage or pigeage
Average age of the vine 40 years
% of first Label 43%
Barrel Ageing Blending in January
Maturation for 21 months. 60 % of new oak barrels
Fining in barrel with fresh eggwhites
Final blending before bottling
Tasting Window 2012-2035
TASTING NOTE
Dark colour with ruby highlights for this great vintage with astonishing youth. The nose has truffled aromas giving way to more fruity notes: cherry, black cherry, licorice and cedar notes. Evolution shows menthol notes. The attack is rich and vibrant. The midpalate is suave with a pleasant freshness, the whole presents a harmony and a rare elegance worthy of the greatest wines of Saint Julien.
