Grand Puy Lacoste 2005

One of the 2005s that I have drunk most regularly, and it always delivers. Still on top form for this tasting, dark ruby in colour, primary in its fruit expression. Tightrope balance of fruit and tannins, just emerging into its drinking window. Pencil lead, smoked earth, sandalwood, spice, eucalyptus, mint, pencil lead, cassis. A 40 year wine from this point on. Appellation signature in a glass. Needs carafing to fully open up, and then it's game on. Harvest September 22 to October 5, 70% new oak.

Tasted blind. Lustrous dark crimson. Not much nose. Thick and sweet, with the tannins well melded. Pungent, cordite quality. A good mid-term stage reached in its evolution whereby it’s drinkable but has lots left to give.Drink 2016-2040

Medium red. Very ripe aromas of plum and musky brown spices; redder in character and less precise than the 2006. Then big, sweet and plump on the palate, with full, mellow flavors of red berries, tobacco and mocha, plus a light smoked meat note. Finishes with sweet tannins and lingering, fully ripe fruit. This is showing its lush side today and is hiding its underlying structure.

Deep colour, big smoky nose, really fine expression of Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon, floral, even a little understated, but great length and balance is there. Drink 2012-35.

Polished, scented with wonderful purity of fruit. Just about perfect balance. Pure essence of classy fruit. Nothing in excess. Drink from 2020. Awarded 5 stars.

Came 23rd out of 184 wines

Tasted single blind at Farr's 2005 dinner in Hong Kong. Was I being mean when I garlanded Xavier Borie's Pauillac with a paltry 97-points? This is an exceptional Pauillac: strict and correct on the nose with graphite, cedar and crushed stone, masculine and stoic but with the clarity of a First Growth. The palate has a beguiling sense of symmetry, lazer-like precision with touches of pencil-lead on the profound finish. I rest my case and given the price, unbeatable value.

The brilliant 2005 Grand-Puy-Lacoste exhibits classic Pauillac aromas and flavors of creme de cassis along with stony/floral notes. Proprietor Xavier Borie has created a wine that should rival the brilliant 1982, 1990, 1996, and 2000. Full-bodied with sweet tannin and superb length (a 40+ second finish), the purity of this beauty’s black currant fruit is something to behold. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2030

Perhaps even better than this estate’s 2000 or 1996, one may have to go back to the monumental 1990 to find a Grand-Puy-Lacoste this classic and well-endowed. It is a beautiful, dense purple-tinged effort displaying a sweet, pure perfume of creme de cassis, flowers, and wet stones, fabulous ripeness, a full-bodied, fleshy attack, mid-palate, and finish, and gorgeous length as well as richness. There is not a coarse, hard edge to be found in this well-endowed, tannic beauty. A fabulous value in the scheme of 2005 Bordeaux prices, it should be at its peak between 2014-2030+.

Following a period of mixed performances, Grand-Puy-Lacoste’s 2005 is their finest effort since 2000 and 1996. It offers a deep ruby/purple color in addition to a beautiful, pure bouquet of creme de cassis, full body, moderately high tannin, and good precision, freshness, weight, and richness. Like many of the classified growths, it is a candidate to shut down after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025.

Aromas of berries and spices follow through to a full body, fine tannins and a chewy finish. Tight and reserved but shows lovely potential. Layered and refined. Very beautiful. Perhaps better than 2000.

Mid crimson. Rather sweet - even simple - Cabernet nose. Racy and sleek. Devil-may-care wine made by the vineyard rather than with an eye to what the market wants. 13%Drink 2020-2040

Exotic nose of spice and minerals. Very four square and intensely purple fruited. Still needs to calm down and develop in bottle but there are lots of ingredients to play with here.

Very lively with lots of refreshing acidity on the nose. Very rich and powerful and sweet on the front palate. Winning texture - reminds me a bit of the Giscours in its modern idiom. Should please many people but lacks real savoury depth. Very chewy finish. Quite heavy oaking - lacks real refreshment value. Drink 2014-22