4 | Wine | 86 to 90, 2005

"This fine new release, with some bottle age, shows signs of subtle maturity. Aromas of mocha, cedar, dried currant and spice box follow through to a full body, This is well-built, with fine balance and good length."

"Always one of the top Cotes de Castillons, the 2005 Cap des Faugeres is revealing more rustic tannin than it did from barrel, but it is weighty, deep, rich effort offering a flamboyant nose of black fruits, coffee, chocolate, and toasty oak." -Robert Parker

"A very pretty, remarkably soft-textured Sagrantino. The wine reveals gorgeous inner perfume in its vibrant dark fruit, with terrific overall balance. The only thing missing is a little more varietal definition. Still this is a highly pleasing and accessible Sagrantino to enjoy over the next few years."

"Medium purple in color, it offers up an already complex nose of mineral, Asian spices, lavender, smoke, a hint of balsamic, and blackberry. With plenty of structure, excellent depth, and layered flavors, this lengthy effort will benefit from another 2-3 years of cellaring and will offer a drinking window extending from 2012 to 2020."

"Smoke, cedar, dried cherry and spice flavors mingle in this traditional red. Supple, with light, firm tannins and crisp acidity, this is clean and fresh through the tea-touched finish."

"This powerful, tannic, structured effort from Mouton-Rothschild’s stable is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by an earthy nose dominated by black currants and toasty, smoky oak. Medium to full-bodied with relatively high tannin, decent acidity, and a fine finish." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"The 2005 Nuits-St.-Georges Les Lavieres smells of sandalwood, cocoa powder, and lightly-cooked black cherry. Strikingly creamy, polished and plush on the palate, with vividly concentrated cherry fruit and meat juices, it finishes sweet and rich but with strong underlying tannins and stony, alkaline mineral notes."

"There is more overt chewiness of tannin to go with the impressive density of Leroy’s 2005 Nuits-St.-Georges Aux Allots, which leads with red currant and rhubarb, comes to the palate with soy-like savor and chalky minerality, and finishes long on bright fruit and invigorating savor, but also relatively implacable tannin."

"This has a very high-toned nose: wine gums, blackberry and raspberry that lack some complexity and typicity. Full-bodied palate with good fruit concentration and well integrated tannins. Firm grip, really lacquers the palate. Quite sinewy on the finish but maintains great purity and charm. Very fine."

"The 2005 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is a soft, delicate wine laced with orange peel, sweet spices, dried flowers and tobacco, all of which flow together nicely in a fresh, accessible style. The long, caressing finish adds to an impression of elegance."