Chateau Palmer 2005

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Sexy in its texture and boquet. The nose has this blackberry liqueur motif, with a great purity of fruit. The addition of spice box, cedar, tobacco and floral elements just increases the complexity. Silk and velvet textures accompany the wealth of sweet, ripe fruits. Due to its velvet nature, you can enjoy this now, but patient consumers that are willing to wait another 5 year or so, will be amply rewarded."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Tasted at the Château Palmer vertical in London, the 2005 Château Palmer is a legend in the making. Apparently the vines received 57% less rain than average, yet the 2005 shrugs off any water deficiency and has nurtured a wondrously pixelated bouquet, whereby mineralité shines through the black cherry and blueberry fruit. Search deeper and you discover veins of graphite that impart a Pauillac-like allure. The palate is medium-bodied and intense, but it is not overwhelming, a Margaux that is galvanized with a firm backbone thereby ensuring this will age over the long term. The symmetry here is enthralling - a 2005 that is destined for greatness. The only question is whether it will surpass the 2009 or 2010 Palmer? It will be fun finding out. Tasted May 2015."

WEINWISSER: "Sehr dunkles Weinrot mit lila Schimmer. Geniales Holunderbouquet mit Schwarzer Johannisbeere vermischt, dunkle Edelhölzer, dazu eine zarte, passende Süsse. Feiner Gaumen, seidige Tannine, eingebundene Säure und somit sehr elegant und auch wunderbar balanciert. Dieser geniale Rotwein versprüht enorme Eleganz. Grosses Bordeaux-Kino. In der Genussreife wohl bei 20/20 anzutreffen."

FALSTAFF: " Kräftiges Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Feine balsamische Nuancen, tabakig, ein Hauch von Veilchen, Nuancen von Brombeeren, zart nach schwarzen Trüffeln. Kraftvoll, saftig, feine Herzkirschen, feste Tannine, extraktsüßer Nachhall, feines Säurespiel, zarter Nougat, gute Mineralik, ein Hauch von Valrhôna-Schokolade im Finale."

JAMES SUCKLING: "What a nose of milk chocolate, with raspberries and hints of plums and flowers. A wonderful nose. Full-bodied, with super velvety tannins and a chocolate, nut, and dark fruit character on the palate. The fine tannins and great balance make you want to drink this, but you should wait and let it all out. Pull the cork in 2016."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Features a bright flash of bay leaf and savory out front, with streak of tobacco and cedar amid the relatively open core of black cherry and black currant fruit. The long finish has a terrific iron note ringing through. Among the more approachable of this group, but no less serious.—Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Drink now through 2030. 10,000 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Blackish crimson. Very light spearmint on the nose. Intriguing. Lots of flavour here. Thick and ambitious and zesty with a hint of orange peel and real density."