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Robert M. Parker, Jr.
2005 is one of Burgundy’s great red wine vintages. “It was the finest fruit we had seen since 1999,” commented Aubert de Villaine, and indeed many growers drew a similar comparison. “Between 1999 and 2002 in character” was how Eric Rousseau and several others described the young wines, but hastened to add that 2005 was superior. “Like a purer, brighter, more seamlessly ripe and structurally refined version of 1999" would be an accurate composite description based on the response of those vignerons who hazarded a comparison at all. But not a few stated that this was a vintage of unprecedented quality, as fine a one as they had ever experienced. I share that view from my 25 years of experience with young
Bruce Sanderson
The quality of the 2005 vintage for red Burgundy is stupendous. It is simply the best young vintage I have tasted in my 17 years working in the wine business. While the wines are still resting in bottle or barrel in Burgundy cellars, I urge you to place your pre-arrival orders with fine-wine retailers to claim a share of this treasure trove.
The 2005 red Burgundies are ripe, vibrant and balanced, especially the tannins. The wines have a juicy, fleshy midpalate—what I call sappiness—and the flavors are long. Better still, the wines reflect their individual terroirs. The high quality is remarkably consistent across all appellations, from the bottom to the top of the hierarchy.
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Let’s cut directly to the chase while passing Go (be sure to collect your $200 as you’re going to need it) – 2005 is quite simply the best top to bottom vintage that I have ever seen, period, full stop. Yes, I understand perfectly well that is a bold and heavy duty statement but there it is in all its unequivocal nakedness. 2005 is a brilliant vintage with virtually nothing to dislike (except perhaps the prices) and here is the key point, it’s also great from top to bottom. Moreover, in terms of regional and villages wines, 2005 is so good that it blows the next closest recent contender, 1999, right out of the water. Among the 1ers and grands crus, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1999, 2001 and 2002 all produced some wines that are wonderfully impressive and certainly great, indeed in certain cases a full-on match for their 2005 counterparts. But in terms of the sheer number of great wines, 2005 surpasses all of them in my view. I can also report that many domains made the best wines that I have ever seen from them. And I’m not talking about some second or third tier domaines enjoying a recent resurgence, I’m talking about the cream of Burgundy in most cases. In short, mortgage your house, sell your dog, hock your spouse (but don’t forget where, you’ll eventually need someone to enjoy these wines with!) or do whatever you have to do but don’t miss the best wines of the vintage or you will I believe live to regret it. Finally, just to be sure that I have your attention, the 2005s are the best wines since the magnificent 1978s and the best news of all? Unlike 1978, there are a LOT more great ‘05s to be had. |
