The October installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon from the 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. I plan on opening the winning bottle this Thursday and will publish a Bottle Note shortly thereafter.
2005 was a great vintage in Napa Valley, Washington and Bordeaux. The wines I have chosen all have a track record for aging exceptionally well and should be in great spot now and for years to come.
The contenders:
- 2005 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon – The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon emerges from the red soils of the eastern foothills of Oakville. The wine has gorgeously pure blackberry and cassis fruit with a touch of underlying earth and spice box, medium to full-bodied flavors, and seamless integration of acidity, wood, alcohol and tannin. Once again, it provides a gorgeous freshness, precision and stunning youthfulness, despite being ten years of age. Drink through 2035. 94 points from the Wine Advocate.
- 2005 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon – From a hot vintage and incredible any way you look at it, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon has that laser-like focus of a cooler year, yet the voluptuousness and richness of a warmer year. Smoked black fruits, coffee, truffle and pen ink-like aromas and flavors all emerge from this massive, incredibly full-bodied effort and on the palate, it carries itself perfectly with a weightless, yet decadent texture, masses of polished tannin and blockbuster length. 100 points from the Wine Advocate.
- 2005 Leoville Poyferre – 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. 93 points from the Wine Advocate.
Which Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2005 Vintage Should I Open?
- 2005 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon (36%, 12 Votes)
- 2005 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon (33%, 11 Votes)
- 2005 Leoville Poyferre (30%, 10 Votes)
Total Voters: 33
Loading ...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 November installment of Pick My Next Bottle.
Just went with my gut but bet the Quilceda Creek is really singing now.
Thanks for chiming in and good luck in the WS although I don’t think you’ll need it.
I usually vote for the underdog but since they don’t hand out 100 pt reviews everyday I went with the Quilceda Creek. Thank you as always Tom and keep up the great work.
Thank you Doug!