Incredible 2005 Bordeaux Offer

Great Pricing on Some of the Best Wines From This Stellar Vintage

We have just received a terrific offer from Europe on some of the highest rated 2005 Bordeaux at very low prices. Unfortunately, the offer is only for a few cases of each wine, so act quickly to secure your order. Wines will ship in the Spring 2009.

Most of these prices are about 20% off, so if you missed the boat when these were offered as futures, this is your chance to get in the game or re-stock on some of the wines you are short on. Act quickly because we have not seen prices like this for 2 years. Enjoy!

Arrives Spring 2009

FRANCE – BORDEAUX

2005 Beau-Sejour-Becot 750ml – $65.99 (reg. price $84.99)
Wine Advocate, Apr 2008, 94 points: “The bottled 2005 Beau Sejour Becot confirms that this is the finest effort from this estate in the thirty years I have been covering Bordeaux. A classic blend of 70 Merlot, 24 Cabernet Franc, and 6 Cabernet Sauvignon, it is an intense, full-bodied St.-Emilion revealing notes of espresso roast, chocolate, blackberries, licorice, and truffles. With sweet but noticeable tannins, good acidity, and a powerful, long finish, this textbook St.-Emilion cuts a swath between the modern school of winemaking and the traditionalists. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.”

2005 Bellevue 750ml – $69.99 (reg. price $89.99)
Wine Advocate, Apr 2008, 94 points: “Bellevue has only been making terrific wine since 2000, which probably explains why they were not upgraded to a grand cru classe in St.-Emilion’s most recent reclassification. This small (15.5 acres), south-facing hillside vineyard has such outstanding neighbors as Angelus and both Beausejours. Additionally, it boasted Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt as managers, who represent uncompromising viticulture and winemaking at its best. The winemaking team is likely to change as the estate was recently sold to Angelus. The 2005, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, is a wine for true connoisseurs. It possesses a dense purple color to the rim along with a huge perfume of camphor, charcoal, graphite, blackberries, cassis, raspberries, and a liqueur of rocks-like component. Super-concentrated with chewy richness as well as enormous tannins, it, along with Ausone and Clos de Sarpe, may be St.-Emilion’s most backward wine. More of a long distance runner, it will provide little near-term pleasure. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040.”

2005 Calon Segur 750ml – $71.99 (reg. price $89.99)
Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 93 points: “Has a beautiful nose of crushed berry, spices and nutmeg, with a hint of coffee. Then turns to licorice. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a long finish of vanilla, berry and cinnamon. Beautifully crafted. Best after 2014. 17,500 cases made. –JS”
JJ Buckley, Apr 2006: “60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc. Purple that fades to ruby flecks near the rim. Fresh black berries and cassis. Very powerful and complex wine also showing notes of cocoa and caramel. The possible drawback here are the very high and somewhat harsh tannins. This one will need time…maybe 10 years before you touch it. Nevertheless, overall this was a delicious wine.”

2005 Calon Segur 3000ml – $299.99 (reg. price $459.99)

2005 Calon Segur 6000ml – $619.99 (reg. price $799.99)

2005 Figeac 750ml – $89.99 (reg. price $119.99)
Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 95 points: “This is subtle and complex, showing blackberry, fresh tobacco and light vanilla, with a hint of Indian spices. Full-bodied, with super well-integrated tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. Refined and classy. The best modern wine from this producer. Best after 2015.”

2005 Figeac 1500ml – $183.99 (reg. price $284.99)

2005 Giscours 750ml – $54.99 (reg. price $59.99)
Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 93 points: “Displays blackberry, cherry and hints of sweet tobacco. Full-bodied, with soft, velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Very pretty and solid. This is structured and chewy. Needs time. Best after 2013. 20,830 cases made. –JS”
JJ Buckley, Apr 2006: “Opaque purple. Spicy nose with hints of sour cherry, eucalyptus, and green olive. Lush and rich on the front of the palate, followed by a huge tannic finish with lingering plum and coffee flavors. Will require some cellating but this is an excellent wine and a great value.”

2005 Grand-Puy-Lacoste 1500ml – $149.99 (reg. price $209.99)
Wine Advocate, Apr 2008, 95 points: “The brilliant 2005 Grand-Puy-Lacoste exhibits classic Pauillac aromas and flavors of creme de cassis along with stony/floral notes. Proprietor Xavier Borie has created a wine that should rival the brilliant 1982, 1990, 1996, and 2000. Full-bodied with sweet tannin and superb length (a 40+ second finish), the purity of this beauty’s black currant fruit is something to behold. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2030.”

2005 Grand-Puy-Lacoste 3000ml – $299.99 (reg. price $419.99)

2005 Hosanna 750ml – $134.99 (reg. price $159.99)
Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 96 points: “Dark in color, with lots of blackberry, jam and dark chocolate aromas. Full-bodied and tight, yet powerful, with velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Like a tightly wound ball of silk thread. Best after 2014. 1,500 cases made. –JS”

2005 La Conseillante 750ml – $179.99 (reg. price $219.99)
Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 97 points: “This is decadent and wild on the nose, with fresh cepe, raw steak and wild berry. Full-bodied, with loads of velvety tannins, yet refined and caressing in every way. A beautiful, balanced red. The best young wine ever from this producer. Best after 2017. 4,165 cases made. –JS”
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: “85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. Medium purple core with a bright ruby rim. Gorgeous caramel and cinnamon aromas over plum, rich black fruits, cassis and raspberry with lingering baking spice notes. Fresh, full, spicy and ripe on the palate. Absolutely full bodied from the front through to the back of the palate. Big yet ripe tannins give the wine nice structure with a great mouthfeel. The fruit is dark and spicy with hints of clove and caramel on the very long spicy finish. Give this bad boy 3 years to integrate more and it will reward you for the next couple of decades.”

2005 La Gaffeliere 750ml – $78.99 (reg. price $94.99)
Wine Advocate, Apr 2008, 96 points: “The finest La Gaffeliere 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. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030+.”

2005 La Mission Haut Brion 750ml – $529.99 (reg. price $874.99)
Wine Advocate, Apr 2008, 97 points: “There are slightly more than 5,000 cases of the 2005 La Mission-Haut-Brion, a blend of 69% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a touch of Cabernet Franc. While there is little difference between La Mission and Haut-Brion’s terroirs (their vineyards are only separated by a two-lane road), La Mission possesses more fat, texture, and intensity. An enormously endowed wine with huge tannin and structure, the 2005 offers a quintessential Graves bouquet of burning embers, charcoal, blackberries, truffles, black currants, and a meaty character. Reminiscent of the 1989, with more structure as well as a longer window of drinkability, the 2005 may be a modern day, improved version of a vintage such as 1955, which was well-endowed, very tannic, and took a long time to come around. While fabulously full-bodied and unctuous, the 2005 will not provide much charm in its youth. It needs 8-10 years of cellaring, and should age effortlessly for 30-40 years.”
JJ Buckley, Apr 2006: “69% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Purple with blue hues on the rim. Fresh red fruit and mint on the nose. Fruit comes up over tannic notes of oak and leather. Some white pepper and sweet spice with hints of tar. Huge juicy tannins on palate. Bright red rasberry.”

2005 Larcis-Ducasse 750ml – $174.99 (reg. price $219.99)
Wine Advocate, Apr 2008, 98 points: “This great terroir on the Cote Pavie has long been recognized as one of the most privileged spots in St.-Emilion, but it was not until the wunderkind duo of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt took over in 2002 that the wine finally began to live up to its potential. Old timers who remember the 1945 Larcis Ducasse will attest to how great this cuvee can be. Sadly, fewer than 3,000 cases were produced of the 2005, a blend of 78% Merlot and the rest primarily Cabernet Franc with a small dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields were a modest 27 hectoliters per hectare. This stunning effort reveals one of the most extraordinary aromatic displays of the vintage, offering up notes of sweet roasted herbs, jus du viande, black olives, espresso roast, creme de cassis, and kirsch liqueur. Extremely full-bodied, opulent, and lavishly textured with plush tannin as well as an ethereal elegance, a sublime personality, glorious sweet purity, and a layered texture, this amazing St.-Emilion is destined to become a legend. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2028.”

2005 Larcis-Ducasse 3000ml – $749.99 (reg. price $999.99)

2005 Leoville-Barton 750ml – $105.99 (reg. price $144.99)
Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 96 points: “Delivers breathtaking aromas of blackberry, currant, licorice and flowers. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and supersilky tannins. Dark chocolate, currant, berry and licorice follow through. This is racy and beautiful. Best after 2015. 20,375 cases made.”
JJ Buckley, Apr 2006: “Extremely dark, thick, inky purple color. Cassis and black fruit. Notes of coffee, chocolate as well as a slight perfume of roses and eucalyptus. Huge, ripe, juicy tannins, this is a very balanced wine with a nice, very long finish of ripe rapsberries with graphite edges. Not overdone.”

2005 Leoville-Barton 1500ml – $219.99 (reg. price $289.99)

2005 Leoville-Barton 3000ml – $439.99 (reg. price $579.99)

2005 Leoville-Barton 6000ml – $989.99 (reg. price $1,199.99)

2005 Leoville-Poyferre 750ml – $84.99 (reg. price $99.99)
Wine Advocate, Apr 2008, 93 points: “Although I still prefer the 2003, the 2005 Leoville Poyferre is a gorgeously opulent, approachable wine that is far less massive and austere than its two siblings. The most seductive, approachable, and charming of the three Leovilles, it exhibits a dense purple color as well as a sweet bouquet of mocha, black chocolate, creme de cassis, licorice, and toasty oak. Full-bodied with gorgeous upfront fruit in addition to impressive levels of melted, well-integrated tannin, it should be at its finest between 2015-2035.”
JJ Buckley, Jan 2008: “Far and away one of the most stunning wines of the tasting. While the rest of St-Julien is heavily closed and structured, this wine is showing amazing approachability. Sweet blackberry and blueberry aromas are joined by a nice floral component, and underscored by rich dark caramel, earth and black licorice. On the palate iris and violet give way to dark, flinty charcoal, blackberry and cassis. Fantastic balance, with a ripe acidity keeping it fresh and lively on the palate. Full bodied and rich, this one will age beautifully for years.”

2005 Leoville-Poyferre 1500ml – $169.99 (reg. price $209.99)

2005 Leoville-Poyferre 3000ml – $349.99 (reg. price $424.99)

2005 Leoville-Poyferre 6000ml – $744.99 (reg. price $899.99)

2005 Magrez Fombrauge 750ml – $124.99 (reg. price $179.99)
Wine Advocate, Apr 2008, 95 points: “The quintessential garagiste offering from proprietor Bernard Magrez, this blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc receives such Burgundian treatments as a cold pre-fermentation maceration, malolactic in barrel, aging on its lees, and no fining or filtration. Offering a dense purple color along with huge creosote, smoke, melted licorice, fudge, blueberry, graphite, and coffee characteristics, it represents full-throttle, modern winemaking at its most intense, and is likely to cause neo-traditionalists to suffer from migraines. Expect this beauty to hit full maturity around 2014, and keep until 2030+.”

2005 Pavie-Macquin 6000ml – $1,624.99 (reg. price $2,099.99)
Wine Advocate, Apr 2008, 98 points: “It appears consumers can’t go wrong with any 2005 with the word “Pavie” in its name. This outstanding terroir, elevated to Premier Grand Cru Classe status in St.-Emilion’s reclassification, is run with impeccable attention to detail by Nicolas Thienpont, who is assisted by winemaking guru, Stephane Derenoncourt. The 2005 Pavie Macquin may turn out to be this duo’s finest wine to date. This is a moderately large vineyard (37 acres) for the area, and the blend tends to be 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. A black/purple color is accompanied by aromas of charcoal, burning embers, crushed rocks, sweet, pure, blueberries and blackberries, chocolaty creme de cassis, and licorice. It possesses massive concentration, phenomenal levels of tannin, and good acidity, but it is even more backward than either Pavie or Pavie Decesse. A modern day elixir that should prove to be monumental in 15-20 years, it will last for 40+ years.”

2005 Rausan-Segla 750ml – $119.99 (reg. price $137.99)
Wine Spectator, Mar 2008, 97 points: “Very beautiful aromas of crushed berry, flowers, currant and Indian spices follow through to a full body, with ultrafine tannins and a long, long finish. Extremely polished and beautiful, with a seamless texture. Best after 2014. 10,000 cases made. –JS”

2005 Rausan-Segla 1500ml – $239.99 (reg. price $279.99)

2005 Trotanoy 750ml – $159.99 (reg. price $199.99)
Wine Advocate, Apr 2008, 95 points: “Complex aromas of sweet black cherries, loamy soil, roasted herbs, coffee, chocolate, and oak dominate the backward, muscular, virile 2005 Trotanoy. Deep ruby/purple to the rim, this broodingly backward, deep Pomerol exhibits admirable intensity, impressive purity, and a long, concentrated finish. Its character is similar to that of the 1998, but with more structure and tannin. I suspect my score will prove to be conservative after a decade of bottle age. Along with Petrus and Lafleur, Trotanoy is the most backward of all the Pomerols. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2035.”