Pichon Lalande 2005

Love the colour of this, deep damson, generous and enticing. The tannins are just astonishingly finessed and generous, chocolate, cedar, cocoa bean, so well constructed, combining depth to the fruit with feather-pillow tannins. Clearly young, decades ahead of it, but this is already confident and enjoyable, effortlessly standing out from this lineup of exceptional wines. It lacks the weight and concentration of the 2009 or 2010 of Comtesse, but it's showing extremely well, and seems to be gaining in power. 50% new oak.

Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Fleshier than the average Pauillac 2005 and therefore fun! Though relatively precocious.Drink 2015-2030

Deep colour, full and fleshy, really seductive, some leafiness, but full of florality and exotic spices, a superbly smooth wine with more power than is evident now. Drink 2012-35.

Quite austere, firm Cabernet Sauvignon nose. Fresh with bright fruit.Not very plump but medium weight and balanced. Drink from 2012. Awarded 3 stars

Came 35th out of 184 wines

"Very deep, velvety, very good legs, distinctive fruit. Very delicious. I loved it!"

This estate has been sold to the Louis Roederer/Deutz champagne firm, but it appears the winemaking team will largely remain intact. Only 50% of the production made it into the 2005, a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. While not in the same league as Pichon Lalande’s greatest efforts (2003, 2000, 1996, 1995, 1986, 1983, and 1982), it is a lighter-styled, more linear, slightly herbaceous yet impeccably elegant wine offering notes of cedar, black currants, and plums. Medium-bodied and fresh, with moderately high tannin, it seems to be an improved version of the estate’s 1990. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025.

Only 50% of the production made it into this blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. The Merlot harvest began on September 20, and the Cabernet Sauvignon was brought in in early October. Deep ruby-hued with purple highlights, the lighter-styled 2005 Pichon-Lalande (reminiscent of Pinot Noir) is a racy, elegant, finesse-filled Pauillac without the power, flesh, and substance of previous vintages. Its delicacy and vibrancy have resulted in a singularly styled effort for this impeccably run estate. I would not be surprised to see the 2005 put on more weight after 4-5 years of bottle age; it should keep for two decades.

Tasted at the château as part of a private vertical. The 2005 Pichon-Lalande was always a tricky wine to pin down but it is rapidly turning into a very impressive wine. The colour is still youthful, whilst the nose is very well defined with blackberry, raspberry, cassis and iodine fruit that expands in the glass, but remains a little tight-lipped like many 2005s at this stage. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins, a superb bead of acidity, precise black fruit interlaced with fig and dates. There is a gentle grip on the finish but it still seems a little closed. Cellar this for another 4 or 5 years. Tasted March 2014.

Tasted blind in a peer-group tasting, the Pichon-Lalande showed a ripe plumy nose with blackberry and raspberry, not quite as defined as the sample poured at the chateau. With time in glass there are scents of cedar wood, a touch of Xmas cake and cassis, all the time gaining vivacity in the glass. The palate is very ripe, beautifully defined with excellent balance. Finesse here, a well-bred Pauillac with a bright, cedar-infused finish that will hopefully just put on a little more weight. Excellent. Drink 2010-2035. Tasted January 2009.

Love the aromas here of currants, licorice, exotic fruit, and berries. Complex. Full and silky, with gorgeous tannins. This is really long and reserved. Very close to 95-100. I will see in bottle.

Dark crimson - this wine really glows with health. Sweet, chocolatey and rich but with enough life and freshness to make a great whole. Only just broachable. Very promising.

Mid crimson. Scented and flattering. Some real sweetness on the nose and then acidity insists. Not heavy nor especially dense. Positively tangy! 13%Drink 2018-2040

Not the most intense crimson. A little austere on the nose. Then quite opulent and red fruit candy flavours on the palate. Not the noblest 2005 Pauillac. Rather raw and simple. Hint of green. Drink 2012-2018. Date tasted 18th Feb 09.

Very dark crimson. Broad and opulent on the nose - scented. Fresh and relatively simple. A little green note? Neat and compact but not as dense as some. Certainly a ripe vintage with dry tannins and representative of 2005, but correct rather than a wow wine. Very competent and well balanced. Finishes quite suddenly. (I tasted the 2004 alongside and was most impressed by its vivacity and depth. It could be even better than the 2005!) More obvious sweetness than the 2004. Drink 2012-25