Sorry, The Wine Spies doesn't support Internet Explorer anymore. Please use a newer browser to continue browsing our wine collections.
What We Say 2005 Bordeaux
VALUE WINE ALERT:
Today’s Bordeaux, at a one day price of $15.00 is a fantastic value for a great drinking imported wine. Pick up a few bottles to enjoy while watching the Tour de France and why note plan to celebrate Bastille Day in a couple weeks in style!
SECRET SAVINGS ALERT:
Subscribe to our Daily Dispatch (above) and you’ll always know what our Top Secret coupon code of the day is. Every day we issue a new members-only code that entitles you to have Ground Shipping included on orders of six or more and, sometimes, an added discount!
Mission Codename: La Course Epique
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Secure a delicious Bordeaux in honor of the 98th Le Tour de France and for your upcoming La Fête Nationale celebration,
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Chateau Grand Rousseau
Wine Subject: 2005 Bordeaux
Winemaker:
Backgrounder: The Bordeaux region, in the Gironde Department, is one of the most diverse winegrowning regions in Frane with distinct styles representing the Cab Franc and Merlot blends of the Rive Droite and Cabernet Sauvignon blends of the Rive Gauche. Between the two banks lies the Entre-Duex-Mers (between two seas) which is the largest of the Bordeaux districts and is home to a great variety of lesser expensive, yet delicious and value oriented wines. Known primarily for white wines, the reds from this region are increasing in quality and stature every year.
Toady’s selection is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc and is grown on the Chateau’s 275 acre vineyards near Sauveterre de Guyenne about 25 miles from Saint Emilion as they have been doing since 1840.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Beautifully dark garnet with subtle brick and ruby hues along the edges. Dark but clear in its core and when swirled, fast, thin and color stained legs ring the glass
Smell – Medium in intensity with balanced dark fruit aromas that blend with black licorice, peppery spice, toasted oak, floral notes, green bell pepper and herbs and soft forest and earthy scents.
Feel – Smooth, dry and warm, this medium-to-full bodied wine’s firm but finely textured tannins and lively acidity hits at mid palate followed by its mouth drying minerality. A touch of spice also makes an appearance.
Taste – Classic old world character with this wine’s restrained tart blackberry, black cherry and currants that blend with textured minerality, black pepper, mocha coffee. A touch of herbs, licorice and toasted vanilla oak lies in balance just under the fruit.
Finish – Long and dry, this wine’s classic Bordeaux minerality lingers for several minutes as the tart fruit and other complex flavors gently fade.
Conclusion – At the price, the 2005 Chateau Grand Rousseau Bordeaux is a fantastic value Bordeaux with great drink-ability. Great earthy dark fruit on the nose, a textured mouthfeel, restrained and complex on the palate and a super long clean finish. Drinking very well right now, you don’t have to wait to enjoy this wine. Pair with herb crusted wild game bird or a juicy steak.
Mission Report:
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The approximate location of the Chateau Grand Rousseau in Sauveterre de Guyenne can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Chateau Grand Rousseau
About The Wine:
Bordeaux reds are the result of a skilful combination of these varieties of grapes, joined to ancestral traditions of wine-making and the techniques of modern oenology.
After a selective harvest , a rigorous process of wine-making retains the flavors of fruit – especially ripe berries. Stainless steel tanks , called “cuves”, thermo-regulated, maintain a constant temperature during the fermentation. The blend of the grape varieties confers to these wines forest fruits, cherry, blackcurrant, vanilla and sometimes violet that you can find in their bouquet that is to say after maturation. They tend to exhale their palette of flavors along the meal. In their deep red robe (color), This wine will age very well for several years to come. These wines will flatter your palate. You can taste and enjoy them with delicatessen, a roasted fowl, some red meat or a board of cheeses.They must be served at a temperature of 14 ° to 16°C
Merlot: 40% of the estate. It makes a full bodied and round wine. It ripens early so it is the first variety gathered.
Cabernet Sauvignon: 45% of the estate. It brings the wine it’s structure from tannins but also delicate & refined flavour profile. It grows well here but it ripens very slowly, so it is the last variety harvested. It needs years to reach its full maturation.
Cabernet Franc: 15% of the estate. It makes a supple and fine wine, less color than the Cabernet Sauvignon but with a more intense bouquet. Its ageing is more rapid.
About The Winery:
The estate is still owned by the same family for four generations. It is situated, at 35 kms from SAINT-EMILION and 45 from BORDEAUX, on the tourist road of the Entre-Deux-Mers vineyards, spread between two rivers the Garonne and the Dordogne.
This vineyard of a 110 hectares (275 acres) is exclusively planted with noble grape varieties producing fine and generous wines with a very classical bouquet due to the soil combination of clay and limestone.
Technical Analysis:
Varietals: 40% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc.
Appelation: Appellation Bordeaux Controlée
Alcohol: 13.0%
