I was looking around at some of the 2005 Bordeaux offerings, and this was a wine that I bought as a future. I think I paid $17 a bottle, and it is now available as low as $20 and as high as $28. I was considering buying some more wines from the 05 release, and this was one of the wines I tasted to decided if I wanted to buy more.

Obviously this is very young, but decanted the wine and let it breath for 4 hours and then also went back to it on day 2.

A “little” wine from the left bank made from 100% merlot. The estate consists of 25 acres of old vine Merlot planted on a limestone/sand plateau. The average age of the vines is 50 years, although some were planted as early as 1904. After a series of years of consistent improvement, many now consider this estate to be one of the finest in Montagne-St.-Emilion.

Beautiful ruby red in color. Some kirsch, licorice and fig with a little Old World charm on the nose. On the palate, lots of structure, tannins and acidity — not to mention very dry, well integrated and a solid fruit component. Black cherry and earth with some peppered bacon fat, slate, tobacco and toasted oak. It is I did decide to buy some more, but don’t plan on touching it again for another 3-4 years.

Recommended.