From the Wine Spectator In their summary issue on the 2005 Bordeaux Vintagel

"As high-priced as some of the best wines are, they are magnificent, and touch your heart and soul the moment you put your nose in the glass." The Wine Spectator - James Suckling

Suckling goes on to say:

"The 2005 vintage will go into the history books along side other great modern classics for Bordeaux, including 2003, 2000, 1995, 1990, 1989 and 1982. The reds show complex aromas of ripe fruits, tobacco and minerals, intensely flavored palates, and seamless textures of powerful yet ultrafine tannins and fresh acidity. They are in total harmony in their structure as young clarets, like perfectly carved marble sculptures by Auguste Rodin or Henry Moore. "

It's all true. These 2005s are just about perfect and they are one of the vintages of our lifetime.

I bought and sold more 2005s by a multiple of three than any other Bordeaux vintage with which I've been involved, but I have some 2005s left. Here are some remainders - several less than case lots my left bank offerings.

Please note: these wines have been in temperature-control since they arrived from France.

Margaux:

Chateau Brane Cantenac - WS Rated 92
Only 6 bottles $80 per bottle, 6 Bottles $475
"Shows mineral and blackberry aromas, with hints of licorice. Full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins and a long smoky, earthy, meaty and fruity aftertaste. Long and stylish. Very refined and beautiful."

Chateau Prieure Lichine - WS Rated 92
Only 17 bottles left. 6 Bottles $375, 12 bottle case $720 ($60 a bottle)
"The finest Prieure-Lichine I have ever tasted, the sensational 2005 has unquestionably benefitted from the improvements made at this property as well as the consultation work of Stephane Derenoncourt. Its dense purple color is accompanied by a glorious perfume of forest floor, blackberries, incense, and cassis. Opulent, with sweet tannin for the vintage, excellent purity, and a savory, broad, expansive mouthfeel that lingers on the palate, it possesses the delicacy of a terrific Margaux as well as enough concentration and power to give it an extra dimension. This wine should be drinkable in 4-5 years, and last for 25 or more. Bravo!" R Parker

Chateau du Tertre RP Rated 91-94
Only 18 bottles left. 6 Bottles $375, 12 bottle case $720 ($60 a bottle)
A terrific, fruit-forward Margaux offering wonderful smoky, melted licorice, chocolate, espresso, creme de cassis, and wild mountain berry notes, the 2005 Du Tertre possesses a dense purple color, medium to full body, superb purity, a sweet, expansive texture, and surprisingly silky, but lofty tannins. This brilliant wine should be at its best between 2008-2020. R Parker

Chateau Rauzan Gassies Margaux Rated 92 RP
6 bottles $375, 12 bottle case $720 ($60 a bottle)
Significantly better from bottle than it was from barrel, the 2005 Rauzan-Gassies appears to be the finest wine this estate has ever produced. Dense purple-hued with a beautiful perfume of camphor, creme de cassis, licorice, bay leaf, and incense, it is a full-bodied, stunningly concentrated, broad, rich Margaux with lovely integrated tannins. This backward 2005 will handsomely repay cellaring. R Parker

Pessac-Leognan:

Chateau Haut Bailly - WS Rated 95
Only 18 bottles. 6 Bottles $599, 12 bottle case $1149 ($95 a bottle).
"Haut-Bailly's American proprietor, Robert Wilmers, backed up by the brilliant Veronique Sanders, continues to go from strength to strength. A fabulous example of this estate, the 2005 is an ethereal, delicate, finesse-styled offering with intensity as well as richness. It has all the concentration one could want, but it comes across as gorgeously elegant and sublime because of its combination of delicacy, power, and depth. Beautiful raspberry, black cherry, currant, graphite, and scorched earth notes are subtle, but provocative. In the mouth, there is good acidity, medium body, ripe tannin, and terrific length. This is a beauty of haute couture from Pessac-Leognan. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035." R Parker

Chateau Malartic Lagraviere - WS Rated 90
Only 18 bottles left. 6 Bottles $360, 12 bottle case $660 ($50 a bottle).
" Perhaps the strongest wine I have ever tasted from Malartic Lagravière, the 2005 has a dense ruby/purple color and a wonderfully sweet nose of crème de cassis, graphite, and soil undertones. Medium-bodied., smoky, with classic scorched earth, Graves-like aromatics and flavors, this wine displays impeccable winemaking, with pure fruit, medium body, and gorgeously long, rich flavors and moderate levels of tannin. The wine should be relatively drinkable in 3-5 years and last for at least two decades or more. This is possibly the finest Malartic Lagravière ever made. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025 "R Parker

Chateau Pape Clement - WS Rated 96, RP Rated 98-100
Only 12 bottles left. 6 Bottles $1450, 12 bottle case $2850 a case ($237 a bottle).
"Dark in color, offering wonderful aromas of licorice, berry, fresh tobacco and currant, with Indian spices. Complex and full-bodied, with supersilky tannins that caress every inch of the palate. Long and satisfying. A joy to taste this young wine."

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte - RP Rated 93-96
Only 12 bottles left. 6 bottles $ 575, 12 bottle case $1075 ($90 a bottle).
This is another uncompromisingly made, gorgeous effort from Smith-Haut-Lafitte, a property that has done everything right since the new owners took over in 1990. The 2005's dense blue/purple color is accompanied by aromas of lead pencil shavings, espresso roast, blue and black fruits, and violets. Rich and dense with good acidity, high but sweet tannin, and an underlying minerality that is a characteristic of a top Graves, this beauty will require 5-7 years of cellaring, and should keep for three decades or more. R Parker

Pessac Leognon Blanc:

Chateau Pape Clement Blanc - WS Rated 95
Only 12 bottles left. 6 Bottles $1050, 12 bottle case $1190 a case ($166 a bottle).
Offers lemon peel, with hints of lime and cut wood. Fennel even. Full- bodied, with wonderful fruit and vanilla, cream, apple tart and honey flavors. Unfolds on the palate. Needs lots of age, but who can wait?"

Parker review
An outstanding combination of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Semillon, this full-bodied, dry white boasts copious quantities of lemon grass, honeysuckle, and apple notes backed up by hints of wood, quince, and nectarines. Concentrated, with admirable acidity, richness, and a more forward style than its neighbors, Laville Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion, this beauty can be enjoyed now and over the next 10-15 years. R Parker

To reserve any of these wines just respond to this email. Reservations honored in the order received. This wine is in stock and available for immediate delivery.

The Details

Prices are as posted above. Minimum purchase is 3 bottles of any single wine. 12 bottle mixed cases get case pricing