Chateau Figeac 2005

WEINWISSER: "Sehr dunkles Weinrot mit bläulichen Reflexen. Geniales, warmes Bouquet, frisch gekochte Pflaumen, Ledernoten, im Untergrund schlummernde Würze. Fülliger, cremiger Körper, ein Ausbund an Süsse, Frucht und Kräutern, geschliffene Textur, eine ausnehmende Harmonie zeigend. Gehört zu den ganz grossen Figeac-Jahrgängen, wie 1982, 1990, 1998 und 2000."

DECANTER: "The tightrope stage of a wine as it shifts from young to mature, the tertiary notes coming to the fore are very welcome in its second decade, although it is perhaps just a little more evolved than I would expect. But this is stunning, there is so much hidden power, with layers of complex cedar, rose petal and soft woodsmoke. As it opens in the glass, the slight dryness on the finish becomes more apparent, but so does the sweet gentleness of this vintage. It can clearly still age for a good few decades, but would also be ready to drink with some decanting first. The 36hl/ha yield in this vintage is due mainly to the extremely dry summer. Drinking Window 2017 - 2038"

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is plush and warm in feel, with lots of currant and fig preserve flavors rolling through, inlaid with tobacco, warm stone and bittersweet cocoa notes. Shows a hefty dose of roasted alder on the finish, but in general this has been absorbed, making this a step ahead in terms of evolution, but there's no rush, as a racy iron streak is just starting to show up.—Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Drink now through 2035. 8,333 cases made."

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Rubingranat, violette Randaufhellung, in der Nase floral, nach Veilchen, aber auch süße Waldbeernoten, zarter Gewürzanklang. Am Gaumen saftig, sehr feine Kirschenfrucht, lebendige Säure, wirkt sehr kraftvoll, hat einen überzeugenden Schmelz, rotbeerige Frucht im Abgang, sehr gute Länge."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The predominance of Cabernet Sauvignon in Figeac has won out in 2005. It shows in the delicious black currant fruits and very fresh, vibrant acidity. The tannins, curiously, are less apparent—maybe all that fruit overwhelms them. Only on the finish is there some austerity and firmness."