tasted 2023/09. Velvet tannin. Medium+ acidity well balances the wine. There're some aged tertiary flavors like meaty, leather, but the fresh fruit flavors (e.g. black fruits, red fruits, flowers, etc.) are still distinct. Oak effects are well integrated now. Lingering finish. Lasting 3+ hours. Can still keep for a few years.
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Mostly purple still even if not the deepest hue. The nose is forthright--floral, something "new world" even. Very clean. Not complex. Some tell-tale 2005 hardness on the finish, but with just enough fruit to make me hopeful that this could gain interest and balance. Impressive how young this tastes considering its 18 years.
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Still not ready yet, but continuing to develop well, with more Margaux elegance than before but quite a lot of tannins to resolve - it is certainly drinking well but will improve further.
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Another wedding anniversary wine and very nice though a bit pricey for the quality. This was obviously a little too young to drink given its shyness and reticence the first few hours open. Still it was enjoyable at the end with grilled lamb. Even better second night open as the tannin softened with air. Lots of blackberry and cherry fruit so very worthwhile waiting to judge it. I have never had wine fr on this 3rd growth before but will gladly look for another go! It will get better over the next 3-5 years.
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Tried with a Siran 05, another floral nose, but more intense, with clearer notes of blackberry and cedar. On the first night, much the same impressions as the Siran, with the same annoying tannins and citrus fruit seam, but on the second, a lot better: the attack had darker cherries at first than the Siran, but especially, a deeper and richer seam of blackcurrant, the blackberry was more clearly defined and the finish was longer, without losing any charm or elegance. Really quite enjoyable, unlike the bottle I had opened in April.
This is not quite ready yet - unless you enjoy tannins rather than fruit - it needs several hours decanting, but it will be a lot better in two or three years time.
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Magnum bottle. Dark berrys, leather, oak and hints of vanilla on the nose. Grippy tannins and a little rough in mouth. Med body and med length. Need some air and/or preffarably more time in cellar (at least from magnum). Think this can be quite interesting over time .
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On a fast pace to full maturity, the wine lacks the structure and depth found in the best wine in this year. Medium bodied, softly textured, with a bright, fresh, red berry approach, this is already close to fully mature.
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Perfekt moden Margaux. Lækker åben næse med dejlig mørke bær. Kirsebær, brombær og solbær. Dernæst støv, lidt sort peber, tør pibetobak og et strejft af tahitivanille. I munden er vinen dejlig cremet og rund. En mellemkraftig vin med gode fylde, nogen tørhed vin og en god lang eftersmag. Selvom jeg normalt ikke er den store Bordeaux-fan, kan jeg kun lette på hatten for denne vin. Flot, flot. En udpræget madvin.
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More intense than usual, with strong notes of blackberry and herbs on the nose, in the mouth there is good fruit and depth, but as with so many 05s at the moment, the wine is spoiled by a hot, whiplash finish. I'm quite optimistic hence the score, but this does need another two years at least.
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Classic good Margaux. Earthy and mineral. Maybe a bit of black berry. Long and nice finish. Definitely benefited from decanting. Was even better the next day.
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Кислотное, жгучее, резкое, темно-ягодное, сухое, мелко-терпкое, резиновое во вкусе; теплое, объемое, резиновое, пряное в аромате, с нотами болгарского перца, сладости; в остатке - живые вишня и клубника. Послевкусие среднее, с сушеной вишней, черносливом, мелко-пыльными танинами, фиалками, кожей, овощем. Нюансов за овощем и резиной много, но черезчур резко и обжигающе, повторить не хочется. Возможно, нужно еще подержать или декантировать подольше. The wine looks bordo+brick colored. The legs are medium, long, in 3 linies. There is light small-size sediment in the bottle. It smells like black currant (cassis), blackberry, prune, black pepper, violet, iris, bell pepper and rubber, at the end - fresh strawberry and cherry. It tastes like blackberry, black currant (cassis), dried cherry, plum, black pepper, bell pepper, rubbery and burnt match. The body is medium/full. The wine has angular texture, has high acerbity. The wine finishes medium. The wine has low acidity, opens about 3 hours, perhaps more.
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A fruity wine but with a lack of concentration, not typical BX in this hot year, I wouldn't drink it again, some cassis in the nose and palate, it feels diluted
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Decanted for 1 hour. Château Desmirail 2005 has become significantly more interesting since my previous tasting of the wine almost 6 years ago. Full-bodied with still rather firm tannins. The wine is, however, starting to show off more complex flavors, too. This is a serious wine which demands food. A very positive surprise!
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14/20 * * * SAQ: 38,50$ VISUEL: grenat orangé dense OLFACTIF: nez expressif, évolué, très classe. Floral et fruité GUSTATIF: Attaque vive avec des tanins encore rudes et carrées. On reconnait bien les caractéristiques d'un bordeaux mais cela ne me transporte pas. Ça reste "coincé".... Bordeaux me déçoit de plus en plus souvent..... Voilà la deuxième bouteille dégustée de ce Margaux et la déception est constante.... ENSEMBLE: En plus, faut-il le souligner encore une fois ? le prix n'est pas justifié... il n'y a pas 38$ de plaisir dans cette bouteille.
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13/20 * * 1/2 Courrier Vinicole Bordeaux Primeurs 2005:39$ VISUEL: grenat vers le marron OLFACTIF: nez évolué. Fruits mûrs, notes viandée et un peu l'étable. Un nez qui me plait. GUSTATIF: l'attaque intrigue avec son goût un peu salé. La structure est sérieuse : les tanins sont durs, raide et un peu astringents. Il manque d'éclat. la finale rappelle les pruneaux. ENSEMBLE: Un autre Margaux 2005 décevant...
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Deep ruby colour. On opening, the nose is all coffee, chocolate and leather, the palate is medium to full and reflects the nose, nothing too impressive as yet. After 3-4 hours in the decanter, lovely raspberry and cassis fruits come through, a little green tinge shows and a chalky minerality shows on the lengthening finish. The balance is good, good structure, strong tannins, balanced acidity. I hope this gets better, it seems to have promise, but time required yet.
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Expectations were not very high, never the less the wine was not able to exceed them. When tasting the wine after opening it the tannins were dominant. However after approx 1 h in a decanter they softened up nicely. Black currant, red berries and a hint of mocca. (Too) Weak on the fruitiness and complexity, an I don't even like very fruity/jammy wines. Also relatively short on the finnish. Do not get me wrong this is an ok wine , but not worth the money. I will give my second bottle of this wine a few more years in the cellar, but will not expect much more than "ok".
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Didn't show as well as the last bottle which gave the impression that this was starting to enter a good stage, but this needed a lot more time. Must keep my hands off these for some more years yet.
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Deeply colored, very pleasant nose of old leather, wood, and cherries. Quite subtle/feminine. It took about 3 hours of air for the tannins to turn to silk and the fruit to come out of hiding. Nicely balanced and decent QPR.
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This wine really does not score well with many critics but I have read that this is entering its drinking window, so I thought I would try one out. The nose is quite classy - classic gentlemen's club/old boardroom smells of rich old leather, though mingled with some rich darker fruit smells - very promising. Smells opulent. Very much mirrored on the palate - some lovely maturity to this young wine, though a whole lot left to give yet. Very balanced, though the new oakish finish needs more integration, but all up a very pleasant bottle, and I am glad I opened this - showing well, but more time will do it good. I think it shows far better than many of the reviews it receives.
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I very much enjoyed this great Margaux wine. Although initially its taste was short and hidden, it showed its true potential after an hour of breathing. Long deep finish with cacao flavor. A wine to keep and enjoy even more in a couple of years.
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Full-bodied, well balanced and fine, but still somewhat young wine. The fragrance consists of herbs, red berries and mocca. The wine has silky tannins and it is hearty with fruit. One can find hints of ink and cocoa. Aftertaste is long and vibrant.
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Elegant, discreet nose with blackcurrant. Relatively full-bodied Margaux with muscular tannins still shadowing the fruit. Will become much more enjoyable in 4-5 years.
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10/20/2023 - Phanix Likes this wine: 92 Points
tasted 2023/09.
Velvet tannin. Medium+ acidity well balances the wine. There're some aged tertiary flavors like meaty, leather, but the fresh fruit flavors (e.g. black fruits, red fruits, flowers, etc.) are still distinct. Oak effects are well integrated now. Lingering finish. Lasting 3+ hours. Can still keep for a few years.
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8/27/2023 - rwpalmer wrote: 89 Points
Mostly purple still even if not the deepest hue. The nose is forthright--floral, something "new world" even. Very clean. Not complex. Some tell-tale 2005 hardness on the finish, but with just enough fruit to make me hopeful that this could gain interest and balance. Impressive how young this tastes considering its 18 years.
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11/14/2022 - Smahlatz wrote: 89 Points
9 years since my last bottle. Very good but not going to set the world on fire.
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1/26/2022 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still not ready yet, but continuing to develop well, with more Margaux elegance than before but quite a lot of tannins to resolve - it is certainly drinking well but will improve further.
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12/11/2021 - ElAzul Likes this wine: 90 Points
Another wedding anniversary wine and very nice though a bit pricey for the quality. This was obviously a little too young to drink given its shyness and reticence the first few hours open. Still it was enjoyable at the end with grilled lamb. Even better second night open as the tannin softened with air. Lots of blackberry and cherry fruit so very worthwhile waiting to judge it. I have never had wine fr on this 3rd growth before but will gladly look for another go! It will get better over the next 3-5 years.
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9/5/2021 - Francois & Stéphanie Likes this wine: 86 Points
Very good. Good have stayed in cellier for 3-4 years , but very appreciated.
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8/2/2021 - vinero Likes this wine: 91 Points
I agree with previous taster. This red is not yet ready, being still a bit tight or “stroef”. Give it few years more and it will be very nice!
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1/15/2021 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tried with a Siran 05, another floral nose, but more intense, with clearer notes of blackberry and cedar. On the first night, much the same impressions as the Siran, with the same annoying tannins and citrus fruit seam, but on the second, a lot better: the attack had darker cherries at first than the Siran, but especially, a deeper and richer seam of blackcurrant, the blackberry was more clearly defined and the finish was longer, without losing any charm or elegance. Really quite enjoyable, unlike the bottle I had opened in April.
This is not quite ready yet - unless you enjoy tannins rather than fruit - it needs several hours decanting, but it will be a lot better in two or three years time.
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7/13/2020 - quickben Likes this wine: 90 Points
Yum! Really smooth and seductive. In a very good place.
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5/28/2019 - Ballesteros wrote: 90 Points
Magnum bottle. Dark berrys, leather, oak and hints of vanilla on the nose. Grippy tannins and a little rough in mouth. Med body and med length. Need some air and/or preffarably more time in cellar (at least from magnum). Think this can be quite interesting over time .
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4/14/2019 - rottcodd wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Sediment so decanting recommended. Ready to drink.
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12/9/2018 - Jeff Leve wrote: 87 Points
On a fast pace to full maturity, the wine lacks the structure and depth found in the best wine in this year. Medium bodied, softly textured, with a bright, fresh, red berry approach, this is already close to fully mature.
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1/26/2018 - Dinamarca wrote: 91 Points
Perfekt moden Margaux. Lækker åben næse med dejlig mørke bær. Kirsebær, brombær og solbær. Dernæst støv, lidt sort peber, tør pibetobak og et strejft af tahitivanille. I munden er vinen dejlig cremet og rund. En mellemkraftig vin med gode fylde, nogen tørhed vin og en god lang eftersmag. Selvom jeg normalt ikke er den store Bordeaux-fan, kan jeg kun lette på hatten for denne vin. Flot, flot. En udpræget madvin.
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8/15/2016 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 90 Points
More intense than usual, with strong notes of blackberry and herbs on the nose, in the mouth there is good fruit and depth, but as with so many 05s at the moment, the wine is spoiled by a hot, whiplash finish. I'm quite optimistic hence the score, but this does need another two years at least.
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7/5/2016 - Francois Le Mouel Likes this wine: 90 Points
From a magnum. Classic claret, not the most intense but very pleasing. Not built for the long run, I would drink it over the next 5 years.
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3/5/2016 - Alcide23 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Classic good Margaux. Earthy and mineral. Maybe a bit of black berry. Long and nice finish. Definitely benefited from decanting. Was even better the next day.
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8/28/2015 - plongeur wrote: 80 Points
la déception totale pour un Grand Cru Classé 2005 je vais lasser en cave les autres pour 2 a 5 ans a suivre
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4/23/2015 - Mirrina wrote: 87 Points
Кислотное, жгучее, резкое, темно-ягодное, сухое, мелко-терпкое, резиновое во вкусе; теплое, объемое, резиновое, пряное в аромате, с нотами болгарского перца, сладости; в остатке - живые вишня и клубника. Послевкусие среднее, с сушеной вишней, черносливом, мелко-пыльными танинами, фиалками, кожей, овощем. Нюансов за овощем и резиной много, но черезчур резко и обжигающе, повторить не хочется. Возможно, нужно еще подержать или декантировать подольше.
The wine looks bordo+brick colored. The legs are medium, long, in 3 linies. There is light small-size sediment in the bottle. It smells like black currant (cassis), blackberry, prune, black pepper, violet, iris, bell pepper and rubber, at the end - fresh strawberry and cherry. It tastes like blackberry, black currant (cassis), dried cherry, plum, black pepper, bell pepper, rubbery and burnt match. The body is medium/full. The wine has angular texture, has high acerbity. The wine finishes medium. The wine has low acidity, opens about 3 hours, perhaps more.
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11/30/2014 - aquacongas wrote: 88 Points
A fruity wine but with a lack of concentration, not typical BX in this hot year, I wouldn't drink it again, some cassis in the nose and palate, it feels diluted
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11/15/2014 - Tony T Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted for 1 hour. Château Desmirail 2005 has become significantly more interesting since my previous tasting of the wine almost 6 years ago. Full-bodied with still rather firm tannins. The wine is, however, starting to show off more complex flavors, too. This is a serious wine which demands food. A very positive surprise!
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12/17/2013 - BoireBio wrote: 81 Points
14/20 * * * SAQ: 38,50$
VISUEL: grenat orangé dense
OLFACTIF: nez expressif, évolué, très classe. Floral et fruité
GUSTATIF: Attaque vive avec des tanins encore rudes et carrées. On reconnait bien les caractéristiques d'un bordeaux mais cela ne me transporte pas. Ça reste "coincé".... Bordeaux me déçoit de plus en plus souvent..... Voilà la deuxième bouteille dégustée de ce Margaux et la déception est constante....
ENSEMBLE: En plus, faut-il le souligner encore une fois ? le prix n'est pas justifié... il n'y a pas 38$ de plaisir dans cette bouteille.
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7/13/2013 - BoireBio wrote: 77 Points
13/20 * * 1/2 Courrier Vinicole Bordeaux Primeurs 2005:39$
VISUEL: grenat vers le marron
OLFACTIF: nez évolué. Fruits mûrs, notes viandée et un peu l'étable. Un nez qui me plait.
GUSTATIF: l'attaque intrigue avec son goût un peu salé. La structure est sérieuse : les tanins sont durs, raide et un peu astringents. Il manque d'éclat. la finale rappelle les pruneaux.
ENSEMBLE: Un autre Margaux 2005 décevant...
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2/11/2013 - drthirst Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very elegant with floral notes. The taste lasts surprisingly long. This vintage is - as expected - better than the 2003 and 2004.
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2/4/2013 - Smahlatz wrote: 89 Points
Deep ruby colour. On opening, the nose is all coffee, chocolate and leather, the palate is medium to full and reflects the nose, nothing too impressive as yet. After 3-4 hours in the decanter, lovely raspberry and cassis fruits come through, a little green tinge shows and a chalky minerality shows on the lengthening finish. The balance is good, good structure, strong tannins, balanced acidity. I hope this gets better, it seems to have promise, but time required yet.
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3/18/2012 - POB wrote: 90 Points
- Crimsom color. It's balanced and has flavours of chocolate, orange blossom and walnut with a light/medium body. Silky texture with a medium finish.
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5/21/2011 - Burre wrote: 86 Points
Expectations were not very high, never the less the wine was not able to exceed them. When tasting the wine after opening it the tannins were dominant. However after approx 1 h in a decanter they softened up nicely. Black currant, red berries and a hint of mocca. (Too) Weak on the fruitiness and complexity, an I don't even like very fruity/jammy wines. Also relatively short on the finnish. Do not get me wrong this is an ok wine , but not worth the money. I will give my second bottle of this wine a few more years in the cellar, but will not expect much more than "ok".
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2/4/2011 - Smahlatz wrote: 88 Points
Didn't show as well as the last bottle which gave the impression that this was starting to enter a good stage, but this needed a lot more time. Must keep my hands off these for some more years yet.
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8/23/2010 - PatrickinKW wrote: 90 Points
Deeply colored, very pleasant nose of old leather, wood, and cherries. Quite subtle/feminine. It took about 3 hours of air for the tannins to turn to silk and the fruit to come out of hiding. Nicely balanced and decent QPR.
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8/17/2010 - Smahlatz wrote: 89 Points
This wine really does not score well with many critics but I have read that this is entering its drinking window, so I thought I would try one out. The nose is quite classy - classic gentlemen's club/old boardroom smells of rich old leather, though mingled with some rich darker fruit smells - very promising. Smells opulent. Very much mirrored on the palate - some lovely maturity to this young wine, though a whole lot left to give yet. Very balanced, though the new oakish finish needs more integration, but all up a very pleasant bottle, and I am glad I opened this - showing well, but more time will do it good. I think it shows far better than many of the reviews it receives.
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5/24/2009 - DTWOB wrote: 88 Points
Thin and weak for an 05 Bordeaux
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1/5/2009 - Spimme wrote: 92 Points
I very much enjoyed this great Margaux wine. Although initially its taste was short and hidden, it showed its true potential after an hour of breathing. Long deep finish with cacao flavor. A wine to keep and enjoy even more in a couple of years.
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12/30/2008 - MasLaPlana wrote: 88 Points
Full-bodied, well balanced and fine, but still somewhat young wine. The fragrance consists of herbs, red berries and mocca. The wine has silky tannins and it is hearty with fruit. One can find hints of ink and cocoa. Aftertaste is long and vibrant.
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12/20/2008 - Tony T wrote: 90 Points
Elegant, discreet nose with blackcurrant. Relatively full-bodied Margaux with muscular tannins still shadowing the fruit. Will become much more enjoyable in 4-5 years.
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2/24/2008 - rottcodd wrote: 88 Points
Bouquet had hints of coffee bean. Ripe fruit. Not excessively long, but palate fills out with air.
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1/22/2008 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
2005 Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux Tasting (Drake Hotel, Chicago, Illinois): 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. Firm tannins. Notes of tar, black currant and creme de cassis. Some tartness on the finish. 89 points.
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1/19/2008 - tanglenet wrote:
Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (San Francisco): Tasted at the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux in SF. Quick notes: soft, round fruit with smoke, chocolate and a dry finish. Good.
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1/18/2008 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 86 Points
Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2005 Vintage Tasting; 1/18/2008-1/19/2008 (Los Angeles and San Francisco): Very dark red violet color; cedar, tobacco and herbal nose; a little tight, tart plum palate, needs time; short medium finish
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