“A wine for true connoisseurs.” - Robert Parker

And we are almost giving it away today?? Perfect provenance, pristine ex-château stock. Not only is this priced at about half of what it should be, but you will not find sealed original wood cases of it like these elsewhere either. Seriously, what is wrong with us? Or what’s RIGHTEOUS with The Wine Spies is another way to put that… Robin Hood, eat your heart out.

And what superlative has not yet been used to convey how extraordinary a vintage 2005 is in Bordeaux? Let’s just go with the man who put Bordeaux on the map, Mr. Parker, to summarize what we’re looking at here: “Tasting the 2005 red wines from the bottle, many of them three or four times, confirmed that this is the greatest vintage produced during my 30-year career… Believe it or not, most of the ratings are on the conservative side, and I look forward to revisiting many of these 2005s in 5-10 years. I would not be surprised if they are even better then than the following laudatory comments suggest.”

And on he went. Every bottle from every Château that mattered was gobbled up by connoisseurs and collectors worldwide. Only a few properties had the vision to hold some wine back, and that’s where we found this hidden gem, crafted by dynamic duo Thienpont & Derenoncourt and nowadays owned by cult classic Château Angélus, that it also happens to neighbor.

Deep ruby in appearance with the slightest garnet on the circumference, past a claret transition. Pure and exciting on the nose, with black tea, marionberry, blackcurrant, and Tellicherry peppercorns being the drivers, aromatically speaking. Big and lively, with loads of ripe fruit, tobacco, velvety tannins, and lovely rich texture as it takes over the palate. Full, plump, and gorgeous, with a fantastic long finish that wings class from tip to toe. Much as this will enhance any meal, it’s too lovely and special not to sip solo and slow.

When Parker revisited the vintage a decade later he wrote, “anyone who has 2005s in their cellar may want to try some of these wines that are coming into their adolescence and showing extremely well” so, do mind that little PLUS next to his 94-point review below, that’s from over a decade ago and that “plus” potential is happening big time.

While it lasts…

94+ Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“This small (15.5 acres), south-facing hillside vineyard has such outstanding neighbors as Angélus and both Beausejours. Additionally, it boasted Nicolas Thienpont and Stéphane Derenoncourt as managers, who represent uncompromising viticulture and winemaking at its best. The winemaking team is likely to change as the estate was recently sold to Angelus. The 2005, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, is a wine for true connoisseurs. It possesses a dense purple color to the rim along with a huge perfume of camphor, charcoal, graphite, blackberries, cassis, raspberries, and a liqueur of rocks-like component. Super-concentrated with chewy richness as well as enormous tannins, it, along with Ausone and Clos de Sarpe, may be St.-Émilion’s most backward wine. More of a long distance runner, it will provide little near-term pleasure. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040.”