2005 Bordeaux is one of the greatest modern day vintages. If I cast my mind back to just before the wines were released, I remember the huge excitement and anticipation. It was certainly a vintage which was in great demand and a lot of people bought. Of course, there were the regular buyers, but there was also a wave of new buyers who had never bought en primeur before, this drove the campaign into a buying frenzy.
Last week the Royal Festival Hall hosted the UGC tasting for the 2005 Bordeaux. As you can imagine it was a busy affair, shall I dare to say too busy, but hardly surprising. It is slightly easier to taste in a somewhat quieter more relaxed atmosphere, but I’m afraid that would be wishful thinking; the noise and the crowds were certainly there. However, I did manage to taste many of the 2005’s and after such excitement I’m delighted to say that the wines are still extremely good. The wines have all the pedigree of a great vintage: concentration, balance, finesse and freshness.
I certainly didn’t taste everything but I’ll mention just a few that I would be more than delighted to have in my own cellar. Ch Branaire Ducru was magnificent, it really is a wonderful wine, great balance, freshness and minerality, this I’m sure will age beautifully. Of course the very reliable Anthony Barton wines, Langoa being pretty and elegant whilst Leoville, deep and brooding, if you’re over 40 lets hope you will be around to enjoy this wine. Ch Beychevelle is definitely back on track, more opulent in style but it has a lovely freshness keeping it together. Ch Rauzan Segla was certainly one of the best Margaux, this has some refined flavours, with a pretty nose and lovely soft fruits on the palate. Other great wines were Domaine de Chevalier which was perfectly balanced, Ch Pontet Canet which goes from strength to strength and the much improved Ch Lagrange. Ch Talbot produced a very well made wine even though it was slightly closed. All in all there were many great wines and for those of you who really pushed the boat out, well done!, you won’t be disappointed.