2005 Domaine Marquis d'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Ducs"

“Even after 12 years of age this remains very deeply colored. As the color would suggest there is only a whisper of secondary character to the magnificently pure and airy essence of notably ripe dark pinot fruit, cassis and spice-infused nose. The concentrated and very dense mineral-driven and large-scaled flavors are shaped by buried but still very firm tannins on the hugely long finish where the only nit is a hint of warmth. 2005 is not an especially elegant vintage for the Clos des Ducs but the potential here is quite simply remarkable and in fact this is going to continue to require extended patience. In a word, brilliant.” (04/2017)

“The d’Angerville 2005 Volnay Clos des Ducs displays even more obvious structure than the Champans as well as concentration and complexity than the Taillepieds. Deep, rich meatiness, juicy fresh black fruits, bitter-sweet chocolate richness, ginger and cardamom, and chalky minerality are present throughout. This displays enough inner-mouth perfume and fineness of flavor to hold one’s interest and release one’s saliva for an extended period. Fine-grained and finely-integrated tannins are part of this wine’s tenacious cling. It will surely figure as one of the best in a long and distinguished line and be worth following for 15-20 years. (DS)” (06/2007)

“he nose is very expressive, with plenty of primary fruit along with notes of cinnamon and clove. As expected, this is extremely tannic and tight, with great weight and density. Huge concentration of fruit, along with an underlying mineral note. Very complete and pure, but I wouldn’t touch this for another eight or ten years. Guillaume d’Angerville, however thinks it might be starting to open. (JM)” (07/2016)

“The 2005 Ducster shares the hallmark purity of 2005, along with the volume and just a touch of new oak that many of the other d’Angerville wines show as well. The bouquet is deep and refined, as it offers up notes of cherries, red plums, cocoa powder, lovely minerality, a touch of new oak and a topnote of violets. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, deep and soil-driven, with laser-like focus, ripe tannins, and a long, tangy finish. Perhaps this is a bit off the beaten path for this very traditional bottling, but there is nothing here to complain about. (Drink between 2015-2040)” (12/2006)

“Good deep red. The most closed and medicinal on the nose of these 2005s, hinting at red fruits and mint. Then big, broad and sweet, with lovely seamless texture but also very good framing acidity and lively minty lift. This is so harmonious today that it's hard to latch onto a single dominant element. But the subtle, rising finish features wonderfully fine tannins and terrific subtle depth of cherry and raspberry fruit, not to mention the grip for a long and positive evolution in bottle. (ST) 94+” (03/2008)

“A little reticent, showing subtle cherry and berry notes on a dense, rich profile. Peppery and vibrant, with sweet fruit, solid tannins and a long, long finish. Everything is in the right proportion, but this needs time. *Collectible* (BS)” (05/2008)

“Reflecting the characteristics of this tannic, slow-to-mature vintage, the 2005 Clos des Ducs still needs further time in bottle: 'It will take 30 years to open,' says Guillaume d'Angerville. Pretty dry in comparison to 2010. Strong tannic framework, intense berry and currant fruit. (AH)” (03/2023)

“Sweet and candified on the nose. Pure and very refined. Super-polished. For some time Guillaume d’Angerville thought initially that 2005 would be like 1976 and take 20 years to come round. But it is gently softening even if there is a whole load of (fine) tannin underneath. Inky for the moment but it will presumably eventually be a very representative Clos des Ducs. 18/20 points (JR)” (04/2019)