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Domaine de l'A 2005

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

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Label

Tasting Notes

The home estate of Stéphane Derenoncourt has produced a major sleeper of the vintage in 2005. This dense plum/ruby/purple wine displays beautiful cassis, black cherry liqueur and earth in a full-bodied, opulent, multi-dimensional style. Deep, pure, rich and impressive, this is a beauty that can be drunk now or cellared for another 10-15 years. Drink 2015-2030.

91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (219), June 2015
92
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, February 2008

Bright red-ruby. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, mocha and minerals. Lush and sweet but fresh, with a gamey complexity to the dark berry and mineral flavors. Offers a lovely blend of ripeness and verve. Finishes with tannins that dust the incisors. Captivating wine. Superconsultant Stephane Derenoncourt recently purchased two more hectares of cabernet franc and merlot vines to add to his Cotes de Castillon property. La Fleur Saint-Georges.

91
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

As with Aiguilhe the malolactic had not completely finished leaving the palate a little tough. But the fruit is crisp, fresh and ripe and tannins fine and long. Will probably move to a higher score. Drink 2009-2018.

16.5
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2006
Read more tasting notes...

A fabulous sleeper of the vintage from the home estate of winemaking consultant Stephane Derenoncourt, this blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by sumptuous aromas of coffee, blackberries, cassis, smoke, and earth. Seriously-endowed, opulent, and full-bodied, this hedonistic 2005 should drink beautifully for 10-12 years

91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (178), August 2008

No tasting note given.

90/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (170), April 2007

The best wine yet produced from this 15 acre parcel owned by renowned winemaking guru, Stephane Derenoncourt, Domaine de l’A’s 2005 achieved 14% natural alcohol. A blend of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, it possesses an inky/ruby/purple color in addition to gorgeous aromas of smoke, sweet, jammy strawberries, black currants, and raspberries, and hints of mocha as well as new oak. Tremendous purity (a hallmark of this vintage), full body, moderate tannin, and superb freshness and precision are found in this stunning Cotes de Castillon. It should hit its stride in 2-3 years, and last for 12-15.

91/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006

Blackberry and mineral with hints of licorice. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long finish. Pretty. Very seductive and exciting.

James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2006
92/94
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2006
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.