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La Tour Haut Brion 2005

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Graves
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon

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Label

Tasting Notes

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.

89
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (176), April 2008
93
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, February 2008

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

18
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2006

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.

90+
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

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

17.5
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2006
Read more tasting notes...

The very last vintage (starting in 2006 this vineyard became part of the second wine of La Mission-La Chapelle), this dense ruby/purple-colored, well-textured, broodingly backward 2005 is a 2,000-case blend of 41% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot, and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon. Displaying notes of scorched earth, smoke, and asphalt, medium body, and elevated tannin, it needs 7-8 years to reveal its full potential. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.

89/91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (170), April 2007

Dark ruby/purple-colored with a smoky, barbecue spice, mulberry, and black currant-scented nose, this strong effort reveals more body, density, and length than usual. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020.

90/92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006

Black in colour. Intense yet subtle aromas of currant, raspberry and flowers, Full-bodied, with big silky tannins. Racy.

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.