Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac 2005

97 points Decanter: "The 2005 is taking its time to fully come around and this will still improve over the next five to 10 years, but it is starting to live up to expectations. Packed with truffles and tar, together with cigar box, soy, black tea, campfire smoke and smoked earth. A classic Grand-Puy-Lacoste from an effortlessly balanced vintage. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot; 70% new oak. Drink 2022-2040. (2022)"

97 points Jane Anson: "(78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot). Depth and power from the first nose, stil young and a little austere, showing that 2005 is still taking its time to fully come around. But it just starting to really live up to expectations, packed with truffles, tar, and cigar box spices, gives a wonderful preview of what will happen to the 2010 and 2016 over time. There is a delicacy in this also, with soy, black tea, campfire smoke, smoked earth. A classic Grand Puy Lacoste, from an effortlessly balanced vintage, at the point of its ageing where Pauillac almost becomes St Julien in its finesse and balance. Zero rush to open, and it will easily stay in this delightful holding pattern for the next few decades. Harvest September 22 to October 5, 70% new oak. Drink: 2021-2040. Alcohol 13%. (9/29/21)"

97 points Neal Martin (Wine Journal): "Tasted single blind at Farr’s 2005 dinner in Hong Kong. Was I being mean when I garlanded Xavier Borie’s Pauillac with a paltry 97-points? This is an exceptional Pauillac: strict and correct on the nose with graphite, cedar and crushed stone, masculine and stoic but with the clarity of a First Growth. The palate has a beguiling sense of symmetry, lazer-like precision with touches of pencil-lead on the profound finish. I rest my case and given the price, unbeatable value. Tasted November 2011. (Jan 2012)"

97 points James Suckling: "A fabulous GPL. Perhaps better than the legendary 1982? It shows laser-guide precision on the palate with aromas of currants, cedar, mint, flowers and chocolate. Full-bodied and extremely finely textured on the palate, lasting for minutes. A joy to drink now. Get some. (11/17/15)"

96 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "This estate's finest wine of the decade is the 2005 Grand-Puy-Lacoste, a fleshy, sumptuous wine evocative of cassis, sweet red berries and cigar box, framed by a touch of creamy new oak that integrates with opening. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with an enveloping core of fruit, rich tannins and a seamless but authoritative profile, it concludes with a long, resonant finish. Just entering early maturity, it will continue to develop for several decades. Drink: 2020-2050. (Dec 2023)"

96 points (18/20) La Revue du Vin de France (Jan 2007).

95 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Clearly the best value in Pauillac today, this is classic in all the right ways. Expressive, yet stoic, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated, tannic and filled with tobacco-drenched creme de cassis, red plums, cedar, wet earth, cigar wrapper and forest leaf. Youthful, fresh and still waiting for its prime time window, two hours of decanting or 3-4 years in the cellar will do the trick. (Jun 2021)"

95 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guides to the Wines of France: "Complex aromas, clean, very defined and above all less 'roasted' than other crus of the same vintage. Its power and breed are outstanding. A wine of great aging potential and ultra-classic craftsmanship. Drink: 2011 up to 2030. (2011)"

93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Medium red. Very ripe aromas of plum and musky brown spices; redder in character and less precise than the 2006. Then big, sweet and plump on the palate, with full, mellow flavors of red berries, tobacco and mocha, plus a light smoked meat note. Finishes with sweet tannins and lingering, fully ripe fruit. This is showing its lush side today and is hiding its underlying structure. (May/Jun 2008)"

18/20 points Stephen Brook (The World of Fine Wine): "Very deep red. Sweet stylish blackcurranty nose; this has lift and elegance. Ample fruit, but the tannins dominate now, making this a forceful and undeveloped wine with a long way to go. This is classic Pauillac, with power, elegance, and spice. Adolescent but vigorous and well structured, with no excessive extraction. Admirable wine. (Issue #26; 2009)"