| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Haut Médoc |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Shrewd consumers should be stocking up on this wine as it is both sensational and realistically priced. Once one of the most appallingly mediocre classified growths of the Medoc, this estate’s resurrection started around 2000, hitting its full stride in 2001, and proprietor Bernard Magrez continues to build on that success. A blend of nearly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the inky/blue/purple 2005 possesses a beautiful nose of graphite, flowers, creme de cassis, incense, and a touch of new barriques. Full-bodied with crisp acidity, sweet tannin, and excellent definition and freshness, this sensational sleeper of the vintage should be at its finest in 8-10 years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.
Tasted blind. Very dark garnet. Tending toward oxidation. Fruit is not fresh enough, alas. Very thick.
Drink 2014-2019
Black-red, massive concentration and hints of new oak, rich, deeply extracted with some freshness and good acidity. Drink 2010-20.
Ripe, almost plummy fruit, rich, smooth and vanilla touch of oak. Quite seductive. Has depth and grip. Elegant, quite supple but will last. Drink from 2014. Awarded 4 stars.
Came 83rd out of 184 wines
One can’t say enough about the fabulous job proprietor Bernard Magrez has done in turning around this once case study in mediocrity. Since 2001, La Tour Carnet has been doing everything right, and the 2005 may be the finest wine this estate has produced in over fifty years. A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it reveals an inky/purple color as well as a powerful nose of scorched earth, acacia flowers, blueberries, and black currants. Displaying an old style concentration with modern-styled tannins, it possesses fabulous richness, a full-bodied, powerful mouthfeel, terrific precision, and a wonderful sweetness to the fruit as well as tannin. A sleeper of the vintage, it should be drinkable in 5-7 years, and last for three decades.
A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Merlot, proprietor Bernard Magrez continues to demonstrate a sure touch at this Haut-Médoc estate. Fashioned from yields of 42 hectoliters per hectare, it is a powerful, dense, extracted, deep ruby/purple-hued, medium to full-bodied effort with high tannin, but beautiful purity as well as sweetness. It should turn out to be as good as the brilliant 2001 La Tour Carnet. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.
Aromas of currants, berries and light vanilla follow through to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a medium finish. Very well done.
Deep crimson, spicy nose. Very rich and pretty modern with lovely upfront aromas but rather drying tannins - reminds me rather of a tip top Chilean!
Fresh and zesty on th nose. A bit too extracted on the finish - shame because there is lots of life and vitality here but the finish is dead. Very chewy. Drink 2016-21
