Bachelet Gevrey-Chambertin 1er cru Corbeaux Vieilles Vignes 2005

93-94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The old vines in Corbeaux only finished their malolactic in September of this year, and the wine was still very shut down in November. Nonetheless, it is easy to see that this will be another stunning 2005 in the Bachelet portfolio this year, as the wine reluctantly offers up an aromatic profile of black fruit, espresso, Gevrey black minerality and meaty tones. I am sure there is a fair bit of new oak used for this wine, but it is impossible to find any trace of it in this intense nose. On the palate the wine is fullbodied, meaty and rather grumpy at being disturbed, with a rock solid core, fine acids and ripe tannins that have not yet snapped back into balance, but excellent length and grip on the backend. The color here is about as dark as I can ever recall a vintage of Corbeaux showing at Domaine Bachelet, and I have no doubt that this will be a superb vintage for this wine. As Monsieur Bachelet noted, 'have no fear, the wine is there.' 2012-2035+. (Nov/Dec 2006)"

91-92 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "Bachelet’s 2005 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Corbeaux (from a tiny cru adjacent to Mazis and still palpably gassy from late malo) offers a profound nose of fresh blackberry and smoked meat. It displays a lean, sharply-focused palate of ripe and deep but tart black fruits and salted, toasted walnuts, with an undertone of bitter chocolate. The contrast of darkly-hued fruit, stony minerality, and palpably high extract with persistent fresh, tart, juiciness is striking, but this clearly outstanding wine nevertheless really needs time to knit itself and reveal its future personality. (4/29/07)"

90-92 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A completely different nose that is more animale in character with more earth and crushed herbs as well that can also be found on the deep and exceptionally rich flavors that offer outstanding volume and sève on the palate drenching finish that goes on and on. This too is deceptively structured though the muscled, even robust finish does more than hint at the cellar potential. Drink: 2015+. (Jan 2007)"

91 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Bright, deep ruby-red. Pure dark berries, tar and violet on the high-pitched nose. At once lush and juicy, with terrific definition to its flavors of black fruits, tar and mint. The substantial, strong tannins reach the front teeth. Finishes uncompromisingly dry but with the fat of the year. Bachelet tends to press early, as he's afraid of getting too much extraction of tannins in the presence of alcohol. This one needs a solid decade of bottle aging. (Mar/Apr 2008)"