| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
From the stable of Jean-Pierre Moueix, this estate has now been absorbed by the nearby Belair (renamed Belair-Monange). Exhibiting gorgeous kirsch liqueur notes with some plum and Asian spice and dense ruby/garnet to the rim, this 2005 is full-bodied, rich, and bigger and more masculine than this wine tends to be. It is a beauty, with loads of fruit, great purity and texture. Drink it over the next 20-25 years. Drink 2015 - 2040.
The Château Magdelaine 2005 has a slightly muffled bouquet compared to the Canon-la-Gaffelière, although it gradually gains a little more delineation with scents of dark plum, mulberry, overripe Satsumas and sous-bois. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, quite thickly layered for a Saint Emilion that usually is more elegant in style, though it is packed full of flavour with Provençal herbs infusing the sensual black and red fruit. Afford this 4 or 5 more years to fully get into its stride. It's a very fine Saint Emilion but I have a nagging feeling that it could have been even better.
Classically balanced, with waves of white truffle, tobacco, cherry pit, wild strawberry, manadarin peel, saffron and rose petals. This has an old school reticence, with silky but fine tannins, in its tertiary phase, studded with notes of undergrowth and spicy cloves. Acidity is marked on the finish, but this still has plenty of life ahead. 50% new oak for ageing, Jean-Claude Berrouet winemaker at this estate located bang on the limestone plateau and slopes of St Emilion.
Paler than most of its peers. Scented and relatively light and herbaceous. Very neat and well balanced but a bit old school. With some heat and drying quality on the end. One of the most transparent right-bank 2005s. 13.5%
Drink 2018-2035
Medium red. Sweet cherry, currant, tobacco and earth on the nose. Sweet, suave and smooth, with very good density to the red cherry and rose petal flavors. Quite understated in the context of the year, giving an impression of gentle extraction, but with very good structure for aging and considerable class.
The Château Magdelaine from the 2005 vintage is going to be one of the longest-lived recent top years from this excellent estate, but the inherent structure of the vintage is going to demand plenty of patience before drinking. The lovely nose wafts from the glass in a deep and sappy blend of sweet dark berries, black cherries, chalky soil tones, tobacco leaf, a nice touch of new oak and a topnote of cigar smoke. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, tangy and rock solid at the core, with superb soil signature and grip, ripe, firm tannins, a superb spine of acidity and excellent length on the poised and impeccably balanced finish. This is going to be stunning wine down the road, but it is going to evolve at a leisurely pace. 2035-2100+.
The 2005 Magdelaine is an elegant, finesse-styled St.-Emilion revealing classic aromas of raspberries and cherries that are reminiscent of Grenache from the southern Rhone. The intense aromatics are followed by a well-structured, tannic Bordeaux displaying notions of herbs, earth, licorice, and spice. This medium-bodied, dark ruby-hued, concentrated wine should develop into a beautiful expression of elegant, restrained St.-Emilion. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025
As usual, distinctive raspberry/kirsch liqueur notes emanate from this primarily Merlot-based wine. The pronounced, fragrant, intense aromatics are followed by a more structured, masculine wine than this generally feminine, gentle-styled St.-Emilion. The 2005 Magdelaine exhibits a dark ruby/purple hue along with medium to full-bodied flavors, and moderate tannin and structure. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025.
Magdelaine typically reveals a distinctive bouquet of kirsch liqueur interwoven with licorice and resiny pine forest notes. The medium-bodied 2005 is quintessentially elegant, but with plenty of structure, muscle, and depth. It should be at its best in 4-5 years, and last for 15-18.
Soft and fruity with lots of berry, chocolate and raspberry character. Medium- to full-bodied, fine tannins and a long caressing finish. Very refined. Could move up a notch.
Relatively pale. A bit funky and low key but really interesting old-fashioned St-Émilion - Figeac surely? Or Magdelaine. Very lively on the finish but not much up front. For the long term. Very clean. Note that I liked this wine more than anyone else, although there were 17s and 16s.
Relatively pale. A bit funky and low key but really interesting old-fashioned St-Émilion - Figeac surely? Or Magdelaine. Very lively on the finish but not much up front. For the long term. Very clean. Note that I liked this wine more than anyone else, although there were 17s and 16s.
