A rather somber and reluctant nose of dark berry fruit and warm earth notes merges into rich, supple and rather forward flavors underpinned by buried tannins and a delicious, indeed almost easy finish. This should drink well on the young side. Bernard Gros told me that "2005 is a great vintage in every respect except that each of my vineyards was hit by hail. Thankfully, the hail was early enough in the season (May) that it didn't affect quality but it did drastically reduce quantities and overall, my yields were down 50% compared to a normal harvest. The small crop though made for excellent sugars, which ranged from 12.8 to 13% and I concentrated the equivalent of 5% of the must, which added approximately .5%. I have concentrated the musts every year recently except for 2003. For me, 2005 is a unique vintage in terms of the wine and I honestly can't think of another vintage like it."