The finest La Gaffeliere I have ever tasted, the prodigious 2005 boasts a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a flamboyant bouquet of lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, blackberries, smoked meats, incense, and Asian spice. Fabulously deep and full-bodied as well as ethereal and exceptionally elegant for its explosive richness and intensity, its lightness of being reflects the vineyard’s sensational terroir. This succulent beauty appears to be approachable, but that belies some significant tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030+.

Clearly the finest wine made at this estate since the 1961 and 1947, La Gaffeliere’s superb 2005 offers up notes of graphite, black cherry and blackberry liqueur, smoke, licorice, and barbecue spice. Possessing stunning elegance along with superb depth, brilliant precision, and moderately high tannin, this medium to full-bodied wine is a phenomenal effort from a exceptional site that appears to be ready to join St.-Emilion’s elite estates. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030.

Medium ruby-red. Pure aromas of dark berries, graphite, licorice and spices. Spicy, very dark flavors of cassis, blackberry, minerals and spices, complicated by a musky espresso note and a whiff of smoked meat. Given lovely definition by a firm tannic spine that calls for patience.