"Significantly better from bottle than it was from barrel, the 2005 Rauzan-Gassies appears to be the finest wine this estate has ever produced. Dense purple-hued with a beautiful perfume of camphor, creme de cassis, licorice, bay leaf, and incense, it is a full-bodied, stunningly concentrated, broad, rich Margaux with lovely integrated tannins. This backward 2005 will handsomely repay cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030+."

This very ripe and slightly viscous bottling makes comparisons to California Cabernet inevitable, and, from its sweet and mildly mocha-like nose to its rounded, ever so slightly soft palatal feel, it would be right at home in a crowd of Napa's best. If showing some tannin at the finish, it is never astringent or tough, and it should come into its own relatively soon.

Good full ruby. Blackberry pastille, licorice and violet on the nose. Juicy, moderately dense and dry; rather powerful for this Margaux, perhaps a function of extraction. Concentrated but distinctly dry-edged on the back, with tough tannins. Also tasted: 2003 Rauzan-Gassies*.

2014-2030 RPJ 93

2 cru classe