Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 2005

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.

One of the 2005s that I have drunk most regularly, and it always delivers. Still on top form for this tasting, dark ruby in colour, primary in its fruit expression. Tightrope balance of fruit and tannins, just emerging into its drinking window. Pencil lead, smoked earth, sandalwood, spice, eucalyptus, mint, pencil lead, cassis. A 40 year wine from this point on. Appellation signature in a glass. Needs carafing to fully open up, and then it's game on. Harvest September 22 to October 5, 70% new oak.

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.