A red of purity and suppleness. Reveals a dense core of cherry, spice and mineral aromas and flavors allied to a firm structure, while great energy propels this to a long, lingering aftertaste. A combination of power and finesse. Best from 2014 through 2030. *Collectible, #26 Top 100 Wines of 2008* (BS)

This had not come my way since 2010, at least not from large format and time is treating it well. A fully mature (though with no sous-bois) and relatively deeply pitched nose is comprised by notes of dark berry, spice, warm earth and a hint of animale character. There is obvious minerality suffusing the rich, full and naturally sweet broad-scaled yet elegant flavors that are coat the palate on the complex and wonderfully persistent finish. This is a powerful and serious vintage for Clos des Lambrays that, for my taste at least, has largely reached its apogee though it should be capable of holding for another 20+ years in magnum format. In a word, excellent.

The 2005 Clos des Lambrays is excellent, and will prove to be one of the finest vintages of this wine made since the renaissance truly began here back in 1993. The bouquet on the ’05 is deep and primary and really lovely, as it offers up notes of black cherries, red plums, cocoa, a great base of minerality, espresso, herb tones and a gentle framing of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused, deep and suavely tannic, with a great core of sappy fruit, strong soil inflection, and great nervosité and grip on the long, tangy finish. This is simply the finest Clos des Lambrays I have tasted since the glory days of the thirties and forties. It should offer excellent value in the context of 2005 Grand Cru pricing, and is worth a special search.