La Tour Haut Brion 2005

Beginning in 2006, this vineyard became part of La Mission-Haut-Brion’s second wine, so 2005 will be the final vintage of La Tour Haut-Brion. That’s a shame as many superb, under-the-radar wines were produced under this moniker in the forties, fifties, sixties, seventies, and early eighties. The 2005 is a 2,000-case blend of 41% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot, and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, a relatively high amount of Cabernet Sauvignon for a Pessac-Leognan property. It offers classic notes of scorched earth, asphalt, smoky black cherries, and roasted herbs. Medium-bodied and tannic, it is an excellent, but not inspirational claret that should be at its finest between 2013-2025.

32% M, 27% CS, 41% CF. Particularly blackish crimson. Extraordinary depth of colour. High-toned, very Cabernet nose but with great luscious ripeness too - much riper than I ever remember La Tour tasting at this time of year. Full and opulent - and almost odd because of its lack of customary rigour. It does have a backbone but the tannins are so fine... Almost delicate! Drink 2015-30

Ruby-red. Plum, black raspberry and cedary oak on the nose. Pure but a bit tightly wound, with lovely texture and uncompromising dryness to the dark raspberry and tobacco flavors. With aeration, this gained in depth and breadth and showed lovely sweetness, but there's very firm acidity here for the vintage. Built to age. Should make an excellent last vintage for this bottling.

Fine, fragrant, floral bouquet. Clean, fresh and linear in style with a purity of fruit and long, elegant tannins. Drink 2012-2025.