Much has been said and written of the outstanding 2005 Bordeaux vintage. Unfortunately, the top wines of that year are still well off their drinking peal – patience will be required. With the neverending focus on the crus classes and their Right Bank equivalents, we often forget about the many hundreds of reliable, moderately priced wines from Bordeaux, wines that really delivered the goods in 2005.
Such is the case with Medoc property Chateau Caronne-Ste-Gemme. In magnum format, 2005 Chateau Caronne-Ste-Gemme is starting to come into its own. There’s primary fruit aplenty, but the tannins have all but fully resolved. Secondary complexity is starting to emerge in the shape of gravel, earth and tobacco.
This mightn’t be a life-changing wine, but it offers a lot in terms of digestibility and drinking enjoyment. What more can one ask, especially when the modest purchase price is taken into account?!
2005 CHATEAU CARONNE-STE-GEMMEProducer: Chateau Caronne-Ste-Gemme
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon et al
Region: Bordeaux, France
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: N/a
Date tasted: 22 July 2017
Tasting Note:
Deep ruby. Starting to show some signs of maturity – red and black fruits, dusty gravel, earth, tobacco. Medium bodied, elegant and silky. Stereotypical semi-mature Bordeaux. Understated yet authoritative. Very drinkable.
Score: 16.5/20
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