Pick My Next Bottle – 2005 Bordeaux

The September installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Left Bank Bordeaux from the heralded 2005 vintage. As I mentioned in the first installment, the purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may currently have in your cellar.

2005 is arguably the best Bordeaux vintage in modern times. Growing conditions were absolutely perfect. The weather was hot and dry and the rain that did fall came at the right time and in moderation.

The contenders in this version of Pick My Next Bottle should be entering a period where they are drinking well but I expect they will age beautifully for another decade if not longer. Polls are open until Saturday afternoon.

The Contenders

• 2005 Rauzan-Ségla –  The 2005 Rausan Segla is rapidly blossoming into one of the best wines from the estate in recent memory. Time has nurtured a gorgeous bouquet that leans slightly more to red berry fruit, intermingling with iris and rose petals, veins of cedar and fresh mint. It is bursting at the seams with fruit while all the time retaining wonderful delineation and control. The palate follows in a similar vein. It feels plush in the mouth, adorned with a satin texture, yet this is complemented by finesse and refinement. It gradually builds in the mouth to a sensual finish that epitomizes this great Margaux estate. You might well be able to broach this 2005 now. It has more approachability than some of its peers, though there is the substance to guarantee two decades and more of drinking pleasure. (1/2016). 94 points from the Wine Advocate.
• 2005 Léoville-Poyferré – Léoville Poyferré’s dense ruby/purple 2005 is soft, round and juicy, with lots of blackcurrant fruit, plum and Asian spice. It is medium to full-bodied and, along with Léoville Las Cases and Saint-Pierre, probably one of the best St.-Juliens I tasted in this retrospective. It is surprisingly supple and accessible. (1/2015). 93 points from the Wine Advocate.
• 2005 Malescot-St-Exupéry – A beautiful wine, once again, from this property that has been on a superb qualitative roll for several decades. Dense ruby/purple with notes of graphite, background oak, youthful crème de cassis and blackberry fruit as well as a floral underpinning, it is medium to full-bodied, textured, rich and impressive. Still in a somewhat adolescent stage, it should hit full maturity in another 2-3 years and last at least two decades. (1/2015). 96 points from the Wine Advocate.

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Thanks for voting! I’d love to see a comment below on why you picked one bottle over another. Also, let me know if you have any suggestions for the October installment of Pick My Next Bottle.