Château Les Carmes Haut Brion - Pessac-Léognan 2005

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2015

This 2005 offers a fabulous bouquet of forest floor and flowers, a dark plum/ruby/purple color, and medium body. Super-intense but light on its feet, this beauty seems to be close to full maturity. Complex and cerebral, this stunner is just now drinking beautifully and should continue to do so for another 15 or more years.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/18/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This has a lighter, more feminine nose; good definition with rounded red-berried fruit with touches of cigar box and earth. The palate has a sweet, lithe entry, supple tannins, lacks a little weight for a 2005 but it is well crafted. Sappy blackberry, black plum finish with a touch of mocha. Nice grip. Very fine. Drink 2012-2025. Tasted January 2009.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Medium red. Ripe aromas of smoky plum, redcurrant, mocha, tobacco and nutty oak. Rich, pliant and fruity, with ripe acids framing the raspberry and subtle game flavors and contributing to the impression of inner-mouth perfume. Offers good volume and a restrained sweetness. Finishes with dusty, serious tannins and very good length.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

A gorgeous effort from this tiny gem, the 2005 Les Carmes is their best wine since 1998 and 2000. Situated in a beautiful park behind Haut-Brion, this estate fashioned a deep ruby-colored 2005 boasting a brilliantly projected set of aromatics (kirsch, smoke, scorched earth, chocolate, leafy tobacco, and creosote). Its full body is somewhat unexpected given the aromatics’ delicacy and nuance. Zesty acidity, sweet tannin, and a light but substantial, classic, traditional style are found in this offering, which represents a synthesis in style between a grand cru Cote de Beaune Burgundy (such as a Corton) and a great Graves. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2028.

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2008

Jancis Robinson

15.50 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe11/21/2007

Not the purest nose - a bit diffuse - but fine for easy early drinking. Not as impressive nor as apparenly long lived as en primeur.

Wine Advocate

91-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/3/2007

Along with the 1998 and 2000, this is a sensational effort from this tiny jewel of an estate hidden in a park just behind Haut-Brion. The deep ruby color is followed by a superb bouquet of menthol, creme de cassis, graphite, and spice (the Cabernet Franc component is strong in this cuvee). It hits the palate with a full-bodied elegance, purity, precision, and savory charm. Good acidity, sweet tannin, and an ethereal style result in a vivid, compelling Bordeaux that tastes almost Burgundian. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

/ 100

the5/31/2006

Voici un vin vendangé très tôt pour le merlot et le cabernet franc (05, 06 et 07 septembre) et le 20 septembre pour le cabernet sauvignon. Son expression est classique. A mon sens, il deviendra très raffiné. Le 2003, lui aussi très réussi, est un peu plus démonstratif. Couleur pourpre, vive, intense. Nez net, intense, fin, fruité, frais, complexe. Très belle entrée en bouche absolument ravissant. La pulpe associée à une précision tannique subtile offre un grand charme. Finale réglisée, fraîche, au goût, complexe de cerise et de framboise. Et en plus, la note finement grasse du millésime revient en bouche. Grand longueur. Un grand succès. Vin très élégant.

Wine Advocate

91-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/27/2006

This jewel of an estate hidden in a beautiful park (with a swan-filled lake), just behind Haut-Brion, has produced the finest Les Carmes since the 1998 and 2000. The 2005's huge, fragrant nose of spring flowers, blue and red fruits, cedar, and wet rocks soars from the glass. While not a powerful blockbuster, this medium-bodied wine’s terrific intensity, fruit purity, elegance, delicacy, and long persistent finish suggest it will be at its finest between 2011-2025. A liqueur of elegance and grace.

Wine Spectator

85-88 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/30/2006

Aromas of blackberry, tar and flowers. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Not quite 2000. —J.S.