Magdelaine 2005

Medium red. Sweet cherry, currant, tobacco and earth on the nose. Sweet, suave and smooth, with very good density to the red cherry and rose petal flavors. Quite understated in the context of the year, giving an impression of gentle extraction, but with very good structure for aging and considerable class.

The Château Magdelaine from the 2005 vintage is going to be one of the longest-lived recent top years from this excellent estate, but the inherent structure of the vintage is going to demand plenty of patience before drinking. The lovely nose wafts from the glass in a deep and sappy blend of sweet dark berries, black cherries, chalky soil tones, tobacco leaf, a nice touch of new oak and a topnote of cigar smoke. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, tangy and rock solid at the core, with superb soil signature and grip, ripe, firm tannins, a superb spine of acidity and excellent length on the poised and impeccably balanced finish. This is going to be stunning wine down the road, but it is going to evolve at a leisurely pace. 2035-2100+.

The 2005 Magdelaine is an elegant, finesse-styled St.-Emilion revealing classic aromas of raspberries and cherries that are reminiscent of Grenache from the southern Rhone. The intense aromatics are followed by a well-structured, tannic Bordeaux displaying notions of herbs, earth, licorice, and spice. This medium-bodied, dark ruby-hued, concentrated wine should develop into a beautiful expression of elegant, restrained St.-Emilion. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025

As usual, distinctive raspberry/kirsch liqueur notes emanate from this primarily Merlot-based wine. The pronounced, fragrant, intense aromatics are followed by a more structured, masculine wine than this generally feminine, gentle-styled St.-Emilion. The 2005 Magdelaine exhibits a dark ruby/purple hue along with medium to full-bodied flavors, and moderate tannin and structure. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025.

Magdelaine typically reveals a distinctive bouquet of kirsch liqueur interwoven with licorice and resiny pine forest notes. The medium-bodied 2005 is quintessentially elegant, but with plenty of structure, muscle, and depth. It should be at its best in 4-5 years, and last for 15-18.

Soft and fruity with lots of berry, chocolate and raspberry character. Medium- to full-bodied, fine tannins and a long caressing finish. Very refined. Could move up a notch.

Relatively pale. A bit funky and low key but really interesting old-fashioned St-Émilion - Figeac surely? Or Magdelaine. Very lively on the finish but not much up front. For the long term. Very clean. Note that I liked this wine more than anyone else, although there were 17s and 16s.

Relatively pale. A bit funky and low key but really interesting old-fashioned St-Émilion - Figeac surely? Or Magdelaine. Very lively on the finish but not much up front. For the long term. Very clean. Note that I liked this wine more than anyone else, although there were 17s and 16s.