Parker Review:
The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate sees about 25% new oak, and will spend nearly two years in barrel before being released. This wine has the vintages telltale Bordeauxlike structure as well as slightly more austerity, and is restrained at present. The color is a saturated ruby/purple, and the wine hints at loamy soil notes interwoven with black currant, bay leaf, and spice. In the mouth there is high tannin but beautiful ripeness, an elegant, pure personality, and a long finish. This wine will need 58 years of cellaring, and will last for at least 25 years.
Tanzer Review:
Bright medium ruby. Medicinal aromas of crushed cassis, blackberry syrup, bitter chocolate and licorice I might have picked this as Latour from the nose. Then almost surprisingly sweet and silky in the mouth comes across as more pliant than the 2004 but with more acidity. This demonstrates less obvious concentration and power but boasts lovely balance and aromatic persistence. With less of the medicinal licorice and tarry quality on the end, this may well develop naturally, as Barrett predicts.
