Wine Advocate (96)

The more serious grand vin twin, the 2005 d’Issan, has a stunning nose of spring flowers, blackcurrant and blue/black fruits galore, and an impressively opaque dark plum/purple color. With a rich, concentrated and pure mouthfeel, wonderfully sweet tannin, full-bodied density and richness, but elegance in abundance, this is a stunner, and one of the great Margaux of the vintage. Drink it now and over the next 20 years.

Chateau Yquem is the highest and finest winemaker in the Sauternes appellation. The 2005 is pleasingly rich and luxuriously textured. It has a impressively defined bouquet and a well balanced palate of honeyed apricot, pepper and nectarine ending on spicy kick.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

The 2005 Dassault is packed with blackberry jam, espresso, dark chocolate, spice and sweet French oak. This powerhouse Saint-Émilion offers plenty of impact to match its extroverted style. Drink it over the next decade.

Wine Spectator (97)

Displays lemon, honey, mineral, fennel seed and lime aromas. Full-bodied, this fills the mouth with lime, apple tart and vanilla character. Very, very intense. Fantastic. Needs time to come together. The best white from this estate in a long time. Best after 2014. 2,080 cases made. -JS

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90)

The 2005 du Tertre is a bold, savory wine, as it so often is. Game, scorched earth, licorice, tobacco and dried herbs give this dark, virile Margaux much of its distinctive personality. The 2005 has aged well. I would prefer to drink it over the next handful of years, before the fruit fully fades, even though there is enough density to allow for aging beyond that. Structurally, du Tertre is a bit lighter than most Margaux in 2005.

Each case contains:

1x75cl Latour 2005 - 98+ pts | Wine Advocate

1x75cl Lafite Rothschild 2005 - 96 pts | Wine Advocate

1x75cl Mouton Rothschild 2005 - 98 pts | Wine Advocate

1x75cl Margaux 2005 - 98+ pts | Wine Advocate

1x75cl Haut-Brion 2005 - 100 pts | Wine Advocate

1x75cl La Mission Haut-Brion 2005 - 100 pts | Wine Advocate

1x75cl Pétrus 2005 - 97+ pts | Wine Advocate

1x75cl Cheval Blanc 2005 - 100 points | Wine Advocate

1x75cl D'Yquem 2005 -97 pts | Wine Advocate

Wine Spectator (92)

Delivers blackberry, licorice and dark chocolate character on the nose. Full and rich, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Smoky, decadent and wonderful. The best wine from this estate in a long, long time. Best after 2013. 8,330 cases made. -JS

Introducing the Essence de Dourthe 2005, a sublime embodiment of craft and tradition from the renowned Bordeaux producer, Dourthe. Made with a meticulous approach that speaks to Dourthe's dedication to excellence, this wine is a quintessential Bordeaux blend, primarily comprised of the illustrious Merlot grape with a noble touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. This stunning 2005 expression is a testament to a remarkable vintage in the region, characterised by perfectly ripe, balanced fruit and an extraordinary ageing potential.

The Essence de Dourthe 2005 is an elegant display of the terroir's signature minerality, backed by complex layers of blackcurrant, cherry, and mature tannins. Earthy truffle notes and a silky swirl of smoke finish imbue the palate with a long, lingering finish. This masterpiece truly represents the quintessence of Dourthe's wine-making prowess. Whether savoured now or cellared for future enjoyment, the Essence de Dourthe 2005 is an exquisite addition to any discerning wine collection.

Wine Advocate (93)

This estate is coming to life again after a long period of mediocrity. The deep ruby/purple-hued 2005 Feytit Clinet is performing brilliantly, offering up notes of chocolate-covered blackberries, licorice, incense, and notions of earth as well as oak. A 1,600-case blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, from a 15-acre vineyard situated near Trotanoy, the 2005 is full-bodied and powerful with sweet but substantial tannin, good acidity, and a long finish. It will benefit from 5-6 years of bottle age, and should improve over the following two decades. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030.

James Suckling (95)

Interesting aromas of cedar, tobacco, dark fruits, cinnamon, and cigar box. Full and solid, with chewy tannins. A very direct, straight, and pure wine with lovely freshness. This is starting to close, give this some time.

This traditional style Pauillac lead the way among non first growth Bordeaux’s to take off in Asia. Full bodied, high in tannin it ages very well. The 2005 is beautifully refined with complex notes of liquorice, mint and black fruit. This is ready to drink.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

The stand out First Growth in my recent retasting of the 2005s, and again here it blew us all away. This was a drought year, with almost no rain from May to October, but never excessively hot, and the balance is evident. The slightly dry tannins that affected many 2005s when young were never such a problem on the warm soils at Haut-Brion, and this is generous, exceptionally nuanced and flavourful, with vivid black cherry and cassis fruits, riven through with liqourice, cocoa bean, pomegranate, sage, cocoa bean and luscious acidities. Jean-Phillip Delmas winemaker, two years into his tenure at the time after taking over from his father Jean-Bernard Delmas in 2003. 100% new oak.