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Beauséjour Duffau 2005

Tasting Notes

Hints of bricking around the edges of the wine, still firm ruby in the core. Sandalwood, cedar, liquorice and fennel aromatics, followed by gentle autumnal fruit, this has complexity and effortless charm. So much pleasure here, and you feel it's just at the very beginning of its drinking crescendo. A masterclass in limestone, just begging to be paired with food. Far less focused and concentrated than you would find this wine today, and at this point it was four years away from Nicolas Thienpont arriving as director, but the power of the terroir shines through.

97
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, September 2022

While no one will confuse the 2005 with this estate’s prodigious 1990, it is an outstanding effort from one of St.-Emilion’s finest terroirs. In terms of potential, the vineyard is exceeded only by Ausone, Pavie and Belair for micro-climate and exposition. A beautiful dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by an ethereal nose of blueberry liqueur, spring flowers, melted licorice, raspberries, and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied with good acidity, sweet but high tannin, a broad mouthfeel, and admirable elegance as well as freshness, this beauty should age easily for 25+ years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035

91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (176), April 2008

This is much better than my previous encounter when it was served blind. Even though it is surpassed by the 2009, the 2005 has a very introverted bouquet with baked black cherry, soy and a little marmalade. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp red cherry and balsamic tinged entry. It has nice length but is very tight and unresponsive on the finish that shows a touch of hardness. On this occasion, the 2009 has the upper hand. Tasted December 2012.

92
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, May 2013

Fabulous aromas of blackberry, licorice and flowers. Wonderful nose. Full-bodied, with racy tannins and a long finish. This is powerful and rich. This is very long and velvety. Gorgeous. The winemaker here thinks it could match the great 1990. Almost classic quality

92/94
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2006

Tasted blind. Bright healthy crimson. Very creamy, flattering nose with good integration already. Very 2005 in terms of tannic charge. The fruit is not as intense as in some examples. But it’s a very classic style.
Drink 2018-2034

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2017

Big wine, with vibrant nose of wild berries, great density of flavour, and expressive earthy undertones given by the terroir, great length, a touch less sophisticated in the beginning than the other Beauséjour, as always, but with the same potential. Drink from 2015.

18
Michel Bettane, Decanter.com, April 2006
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Although I may have overrated this offering last year, I still believe it is the finest wine this estate has made since their utterly perfect 1990. This is a small (17.5 acres), but extraordinary terroir composed of pure clay and limestone. The powerful 2005 was monolithic and closed on the three occasions I tasted it, but it unquestionably possesses enormous potential. Beautiful blueberry, black raspberry, licorice, and floral notes are followed by a medium to full-bodied, super-rich St.-Emilion boasting gorgeous freshness as well as high levels of tannin. The latter component is more noticeable than it was last year, but my instincts suggest this a temporary stage and while this cuvee will need to be monitored, it appears to be a spectacular Bordeaux. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+.

92/94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (170), April 2007

Unquestionably the most compelling wine made at this estate since their perfect 1990, this renowned terroir has turned out a prodigious 2005 made from a blend of 70% Merlot, and equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Yields were only 34 hectoliters per hectare, and the alcohol content exceeds 13.5%. The bouquet is reminiscent of the 1990's with scents of blueberries, crushed rocks, acacia flowers, blackberries, and subtle wood. Stunningly rich and full-bodied, with a more tannic structure than the 1990 as well as abundant purity, freshness, and multiple layers, it is a noble, racy effort with fabulous potential. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2030.

94/96
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.