Critics Ratings

Bois de Boursan Châteauneuf-du-Pape Versino Cuvée Félix 2005

‘Dense and chewy, but with ripe, well-rounded tannins carry the black currant, fig paste, coffee and black licorice notes. The finish shows nicely buried acidity and a long mineral streak. Best from 2009 through 2025.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Apr 2008)

‘Deep ruby. Wildly aromatic, complex bouquet of fresh raspberry, cherry, garrigue and smoked meat. Deep and sweet, offering fleshy red and dark berry liqueur flavors along with candied licorice, beef blood and succulent herbs. This is extremely complex and finishes with outstanding clinging persistence. Put this one away to sleep.’ - Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 92+/100 (Jan 2008)

Clos Saint-Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005

‘The 2005 Châteauneuf-Du-Pape is a ripe, concentrated effort that oozes melted licorice, plum, black olive and roasted herb-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, layered and beautifully put-together on the palate, it is almost overflowing with fruit, yet stays balanced, clean and thoroughly enjoyable.’ - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 92/100 (Aug 2014)

Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape la Reine des Bois 2005

‘The Delorme Brother’s 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois has been incredibly consistent for me, and is always an upper-90s scoring wine. A big, full-bodied, structured effort, its inky purple color is followed by a terrific bouquet of ripe black fruits, toasted spice, graphite, chocolate and garrigue. Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre and the rest 5% Vaccarèse, brought up 30% in barrels and 70% in stainless steel, it will have another 10-15 years of prime drinking.’ - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 97/100 (Feb 2015)

‘Packed with layers of fig, raspberry and blackberry confiture flavors, this is long and fleshy, with lots of racy graphite and sweet cocoa notes. The long, ripe, defined finish shows great grip, with encores of fruit and minerality. Best from 2008 through 2025.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Aug 2007)

Paul Avril Châteauneuf-du-Pape Clos du Pape 2005

Hitting a natural 15.5% alcohol, Paul-Vincent’s 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is decidedly more elegant and finesse-styled now than it was on release, where it was more dominated by its tannic structure. Still a youthful ruby color, it offers up a perfumed bouquet of kirsch and blackberry-like fruits, licorice, incense, Asian spice and forest floor. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied, seamless, elegant wine that’s lost all of its baby fat, yet still has a core of sweet fruit, fine tannin and a balanced, harmonious feel. It’s not a powerhouse, and is drinking nicely today, with another decade of longevity.’ - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Feb 2015)

‘Really tight now, but packed with dark fig, currant, espresso, licorice and chocolate notes. Super fleshy but seriously structured, there's layer after layer of sweet spice, fruit and minerality pumping through the finish, with lots of latent depth and power. Far more backward than the 2003 or 2004 on release, but since this red typically puts on weight as it ages, it should be a monster--à la the 1990--when it reaches its peak. Best from 2009 through 2030. Top 100 of 2007 - Rank 1.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 98/100 (Dec 2007)

Pierre Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape Mon Aieul 2005

‘Showing superb Grenache character, the 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de Mon Aïeul offers tons of charm in its kirsch, jammy blackberry, spice, licorice and underbrush-scented bouquet. This flows to a full-bodied, focused and elegant version of this cuvee that has fine tannin, good concentration and fabulous purity. While not hitting the heights of the 2003, 2007 or 2010, it’s a textbook example of this cuvée that will have 20-25 years of overall longevity.’ - Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Feb 2015)

‘Shows the great embedded structure of the vintage, with a strong graphite undertow pushing the layers of blackberry, boysenberry and plum fruit, while additional sweet spice, mocha and bittersweet cocoa notes fill in the background. Packed with fruit and terroir, with a gorgeous mouthfeel. Best from 2008 through 2027.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 96/100 (Oct 2007)

Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2005

‘Long and perfumy, with floral and spice notes riding on top of raspberry and loganberry fruit flavors. The long, fine-grained finish lets fruit, licorice and mineral hints hang together nicely. Drink now through 2022.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Nov 2007)

‘The 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réserve is an even bigger wine than the 2006, more tannic, with greater density but again the classic fig, garrigue, tobacco leaf, kirsch, and meaty notes. In the finish, the tannins kick in. This wine definitely needs 2-3 years of cellaring, but is outstanding in richness and depth and should age nicely for 15 or more years.’ - Robert Parker Wine Advocate, 90/100 (Oct 2007)

Provenance

Private Client