Pick My Next Bottle – 2005 Bordeaux

The September installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Right Bank Bordeaux from the heralded 2005 vintage. Specifically, all three wines are from Saint-Émilion. 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 drinking beautifully. Hopefully this data point will let all of us know whether we should pull the corks now or let them age a bit longer. Polls are open until Saturday morning.

The Contenders

• 2005 Fleur Cardinale –  This beautiful wine from Fleur Cardinale performed great in its youth, both from barrel as well as post-bottling. A gorgeous blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon made by the Decoster family, the 2005 provides more evidence that this property is fully exploiting its tremendous potential. A few years away from reaching its plateau of maturity, its stunning nose of black cherry liqueur, cassis, licorice, earth and spice is followed by a full-bodied, concentrated and pure wine. (06/15). 94 points from the Wine Advocate.
• 2005 La Gaffelière – The finest La Gaffelière I have ever tasted, the prodigious 2005 boasts a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a flamboyant bouquet of lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, blackberries, smoked meats, incense, and Asian spice. Fabulously deep and full-bodied as well as ethereal and exceptionally elegant for its explosive richness and intensity, its lightness of being reflects the vineyard’s sensational terroir. This succulent beauty appears to be approachable, but that belies some significant tannins (04/08). 96 points from the Wine Advocate.
• 2005 Canon-La-Gaffelière – This fragrant, lush, seductive wine offers up plum, Christmas spices and crème de cassis. This dense garnet/purple wine also has loads of blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, terrific aromatics, a full-bodied mouthfeel, beautiful purity, texture, and a long, long finish. Once again, the Comte von Neipperg and his winemaking consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt have hit a home run in this vintage. This beauty is approachable, if not drinkable already, and should continue to evolve for 10-15 years. (06/15). 94 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.