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The 2005 Bordeaux Vintage wine has received such high reviews that demand for the wine continues to rise rapidly. We were fortunately able to get a few cases of some great wines and are able to get them to you at a great price that you will find are one of the best prices anywhere.

Acclaimed wine critic, Robert Parker has described the 2005 Bordeaux vintage as being "the greatest vintage produced during my 30 year career" and this is his assessment of the Vintage along with the different regions of Bordeaux.

"Historically, the finest Bordeaux vintages (including 2000, 1990, 1982, 1961, 1959, 1949, 1947 and 1945) have resulted from dry, hot weather in the summer and fall. And while Bordeaux experienced relatively severe, even drought like conditions in 2005, there were no periods of torrid heat, even in July, August and September. Other notable facts about the 2005 wines: They have some of the highest tannin levels in modern-day red Bordeaux, extremely high levels of dry extract (in other words, these are seriously concentrated wines), high alcohol levels (even higher than 2003-a vintage of record alcohol levels) and moderate acid levels (which give the best wines a fresh, lively, almost tangy character). Overall, the 2005 Bordeaux have turned out brilliantly, and 2005 does appear to be one of the most singular years of the past five decades.

The 2005 wines were especially tannic in the northern Médoc communes of St-Julien, Pauillac and St-Estèphe. But, unlike the best wines of 1982, 1989 and 1990, most of the 2005s will not be approachable for 10 to 15 years-at minimum. However, past experience suggests they will require many years of cellaring-30 to 50 years, in fact. The good news is that even these tannic monsters are fresh, concentrated and well balanced.

Meanwhile, I thought the wines of the Margaux appellation were the finest I have ever tasted in my 28 years of assessing Bordeaux vintages in the early stages of development. The wines have sweeter tannins than their northern Médoc neighbors as well as greater breadth of flavor. They should also be approachable while relatively young-in six to eight years. Consequently, they may also be quite high- priced.

Standouts of the 2005 vintage include the Graves region on the Left Bank and the Right Bank appellations of Pomerol and St-Émilion. In all three of these areas, the wines are concentrated, massive and high in tannin. However, because there is very little Cabernet Sauvignon in most of the blends (Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the favored grapes, especially in Pomerol and St-Émilion), the tannins are sweeter and the wines more approachable. In fact, many of the wines will offer compelling drinking in six to eight years, although they will continue to evolve for three decades or more. Another advantage these wines possess is that the lower-level St-Émilion and Graves offerings will not be nearly as expensive as the more famous and aristocratic names of the northern Médoc."

CHATEAU LA GURGUE MARGAUX 2005
Wine Spectator 91 points: "Full and silky, with lots of berry, chocolate and spice character. Wonderful texture to this wine. Best ever from here? Like cashmere. Almost 92-94. Tasted twice, with consistent notes."
Reg $49.99 . . . PEARSON'S SALE PRICE . . .$25.99

CHATEAU FOMBRAUGE ST. EMILION 2005
Wine Spectator 91 points: "Dark in color, with intense aromas of dried mushroom and very ripe fruit. Almost raisiny. Full- bodied, with chewy tannins and lots of ripe fruit. Turns meaty and raisiny. A very mature style, but one that I like a lot. This is always a wonderful value. Best after 2013. 13,000 cases made."
The Wine Advocate 90 points: "An in-your-face style of wine, the 2005 Fombrauge (the largest vineyard in St.-Emilion) is a blend of 77% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The inky/purple color is followed by a big, sweet nose of chocolate fudge, jammy black cherries, blackberries, smoke, and pain grille. This chewy, powerful, decadent St.-Emilion is a modern-styled, impressively endowed, pure, intense wine. It is another brilliant example of winemaking from proprietor Bernard Magrez. Anticipated maturity: 2010- 2020+. "
Reg $49.99 . . . PEARSON'S SALE PRICE . . $33.99

CHATEAU LAFLEUR GAZIN POMEROL 2005
Wine Advocate 91 points: "Has berry and chocolate character, with hints of spice. Full-bodied, yet reserved and refined, with silky, tender tannins. Pretty and subtle. Best after 2013."
Reg $59.99 . . . PEARSON'S SALE PRICE . . . $36.99

CHATEAU D'ARMAILHAC PAUILLAC 2005
The Wine Advocate 90+ points: "This powerful, tannic, structured effort from Mouton- Rothschild's stable is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by an earthy nose dominated by black currants and toasty, smoky oak. Medium to full-bodied with relatively high tannin, decent acidity, and a fine finish, it should be at its best between 2014-2030."
Reg $59.99 . . . PEARSON'S SALE PRICE . . . $39.99

CHATEAU PRIEURE LICHINE MARGAUX 2005
The Wine Advocate 92 points: "The finest Prieure-Lichine I have ever tasted, the sensational 2005 has unquestionably benefitted from the improvements made at this property as well as the consultation work of Stephane Derenoncourt. Its dense purple color is accompanied by a glorious perfume of forest floor, blackberries, incense, and cassis. Opulent, with sweet tannin for the vintage, excellent purity, and a savory, broad, expansive mouth feel that lingers on the palate, it possesses the delicacy of a terrific Margaux as well as enough concentration and power to give it an extra dimension. This wine should be drinkable in 4-5 years, and last for 25 or more. Bravo!"
Reg $69.99 . . . PEARSON'S SALE PRICE . . . $49.99

CHATEAU GRUAUD LAROSE ST. JULIEN 2005
Wine Enthusiast 94 points: "This tastes of great Cabernet Sauvignon, with its black currant, cedar and herbs and fresh, juicy acidity. It is as fresh as it is rich, but it has a structure of dense tannins that balances the wine. This is one of the best wines from Gruaud-Larose for several years."
Wine Spectator 91 points: "Aromas of blackberry, meat and earth follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a rich finish. Decadent, balanced and very approachable already. I thought it would have been a little better than this. Best after 2014."
Reg $89.99 . . . PEARSON'S SALE PRICE . . . $62.99

TO ORDER CALL 202 333 6666: For SAME DAY SERVICE visit us in person at 2436 Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC . . . EMAIL ORDERS ARE NOT PROCESSED UNTIL THE NEXT DAY and may be sold out by then . . . but if you insist, email your order to David (david@pearsonswine.com) include your name & phone number. We will call you the next day to confirm availability and we will hold your order with payment in full.
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NUMEROUS WINES ARE ALWAYS OPEN FOR TASTING.