2005 Chateau Margaux - Red Blend (Pre-arrival) (750ml)

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Another celestial effort from Paul Pontallier and Corinne Mentzelopoulus, the 2005 Margaux, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, boasts a dense opaque blue/purple color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of spring flowers, blueberries, black raspberries, creme de cassis, licorice, and, despite its having spent two years in 100% new wood, only a subtle touch of toasty oak. Although full-bodied, the wine seems light on its feet because of the silky tannins as well as the great gravel terroir from which it comes. Beautiful purity, length, and nobility define this modern day classic. Is it better than the 2000, 1996, 1990, or some of the vintages from the decade of the eighties? Who knows, but it is unquestionably one of the all-time great wines made at Chateau Margaux. This estate has produced only exceptional wines over the last three decades. The seamlessness of the 2005 suggests it will perform well early, but it should last for a half century or more. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2050+. - WA, RP (4/2008)

Bright, saturated ruby-red; not the darkest young Margaux of recent years. Brilliantly perfumed, pure nose of blackberry, violet, minerals and sexy toasty oak. Wonderfully sweet and subtle in the mouth, with the wine's extraordinary finesse of texture partly hiding its great density. It's hard to imagine a more seamless, fine-grained wine at this level of power. Blue and black fruits are further sharpened by the wine's floral character. Perhaps most impressive today on the back half, where the wine spreads out to take over the entire palate and ultimately expands to fill the mouth and olfactories. There's great backbone here for aging, but no sensation of hardness even today. ST