2005 Bordeaux Tasting with ExCellars

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Tasted Tuesday, December 12, 2006 by jjclips2 with 760 views

Introduction

This is an anticipated tasting to try the '05 Bordeauxs. Most of these went very little, if any, oak aging. Thrown in the mix were some '03 Milhade Exclusives.

Flight 1 - '05 White Bordeaux (3 Notes)

  • 2005 Château Recougne Blanc 83 Points

    France, Bordeaux

    Bright green apple and a hint of stone fruit on the nose. The palate wasn't too crisp, with an almost creamy texture, with bosc pears, vanilla, and very soft acidity on the finish. I think I liked the '03 a little more. 82-84.

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  • 2004 Château Maine-Bonnet Blanc 84 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves

    Loads of minerality and even a touch of chalkiness on the nose. Cleaner and crisper style with lemon zest, wet rocks, and fresh cut grass on the palate. Not as ripe as the '05 Recougne, with nicer acidity and a longer, cleaner finish.

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  • 2005 Château de Chantegrive Blanc 87 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves

    Fresh and clean nose of minerals, lemon curd, and the subtlest touch of smoke. Weightier in style with a medium body, soft acidity at first, and a hint of fresh cream. The fruit consists of nectarines, and finishes with a nicer, acidic green apple component. Interesting on how the acidity differs from start to finish. Very nice.

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Flight 2 - '05 Right Bank Reds (3 Notes)

  • 2005 Château La Rose Tour Blanche 82 Points

    France, Bordeaux

    Beautiful bright purple colour. Huge nose of ripe blue and blackberries. Black plum, high acidity, and very mild tannins are the makeup of the palate. The finish has the slightest hint of minerals. Somewhat simple, as regional Bordeaux can be, but pleasant. Nice QPR as well.

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  • 2005 Château Tour Saint-Georges 85 Points

    France, Bordeaux

    Black cherry and toasty oak on the nose with a eucalyptus characteristic. Medium body with grippier tannins and a nicer texture than the La Rose and more complexity. Again on the palate is black cherry fruit with an allspice and clove note. Softer acidity than the La Rose as well. Very impressive.

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  • 2005 Château Haut Roudier 84 Points

    France, Bordeaux

    New Chateau for me. Black plum, coffee notes on the nose with less ripe fruits than the other '05 Bordeauxs tasted. The palate came off less ripe as well with beautifully balanced acidity, a better tannins structure, and full bodied. Probably needs some time to settle down, as this is a more serious wine. 84-86.

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Flight 3 - '05 Right Bank Reds (3 Notes)

  • 2005 Château Sauman 84 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Côtes de Bourg

    Ripe blackberry fruit on the nose. Simple wildberry fruits on the palate with nice acidity, rich mouthfeel, and good tannin structure. Medium finish with bitter chocolate and nicely balanced acidity. Great QPR.
    Wine of the flight.

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  • 2005 Château La Pierre Levee 80 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

    Seemed like there was more wood than the previous wines with a bitter finish and not as balanced fruit and/or acidity. Still a very palateable wine, but the previous wines were nicer. Least impressive wine of the night, however it was still a nice bottle.

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  • 2005 Château Labory 86 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Fronsac

    I loved the '03 vintage of this wine. This bottle had a lovely nose of clove, ripe black cherries, and wood spice. Soft mouthfeel, especially when comprared to the other '05's tried, with moderate tannin, and a long, bright, juicy wildberry finish. I think this is a more elegant approach for a young Bordeaux, and am very satisfied with this product.

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Flight 4 - '05 Medoc Reds (2 Notes)

  • 2005 Château Beauvillage 81 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc

    Softer, thinner style for the '05 Bordeaux. Still has gripping tannins toward the finish, but the fruit isn't as well integrated or as bright and ripe as the previous wines tasted. The finish does have a slight bitter note to it that was a bit offensive. However it did blow off after about 15 min. Good, but not impressed.

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  • 2005 Château des Granges D'Or Médoc 86 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc

    Very nice nose with warm spices and some wildberries. Starts off very soft and velvety and then finishes with loads of tannin, some earthiness, and a bit of stuffing. Full bodied with decent complexity and not too fruit driven. Different than the rest of the '05 Bordeauxs tasted.

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Flight 5 - '03 Milhade Exclusives-Right Bank (3 Notes)

  • 2003 Château Recougne 88 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur

    Some brick highlights starting to show. Toasted oak, earth, black cherries, and warm spices on nose. The palate is complex and backwards with tobacco, cedar, vanilla, and currants. Balanced acidity, and a tannic finish. Excellent bottle for a great price.

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  • 2003 Château Lyonnat Lussac-St. Émilion 83 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Lussac-St. Émilion

    Softer style with a very subtle nose, black fruits on palate, and moderate tannins. The acidity was very soft, not necessarily balanced, and finishes almost thin.

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  • 2003 Château Saint-Paul Haut-Médoc 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    I've liked this particular bottling when it was first released. Huge nose of black currant, cedar, and eucalyptus. Aggressive tannins at first, then soft mocha, roasted meats, and black fruit towards the midpalate. The acidity is balanced, the body is med-full, and finish is long and smooth. 90+

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Flight 6 - '03 Milhade Exclusives-Right Bank (2 Notes)

  • 2003 Château d'Aurilhac 87 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    3rd time trying. Once after it was released, once about 3 months ago, and tonight. It might be shut down? The fruit wasn't as bright as I remembered, with secondary characteristics of earth, leather, and oak dominating. The tannins were also aggressive and added a bitter finish. Score is based on previous experiences with this wine, as well as tonights. Will try again in 2 years.

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  • 2003 Château Boutisse 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Saved the best for last. WOTN. Distinct nose of pencil lead, raw wood, smoke, and cinnamon. Black cherry fruits, mocha, moderate tannins, and nice acidity make up this full bodied beaut.

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Closing

Extremely satisfied with both the '05 vintage Bordeauxs as well as the '03 Milhade Exclusives. Can't wait to hand sell these beauties.

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