2005 Chateau Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1x750ml

Vinous 91+

Medium red-ruby. Very ripe aromas of black cherry and licorice; slightly liqueur-like. Intensely flavored and gripping, with impressive power and a serious spine to the sweet black cherry flavors. Finishes with sneaky length and excellent backbone for aging. Aeration brought more minerality and more sweetness. [Stephen Tanzer, 05/01/2008]

Robert Parker 92

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. [01/12/2012]