Bordeaux 2005 at Ten Years: Pomerol
Rather like the assembled body of wines that were representing St Emilion, the ten wines gathered together from Pomerol included many of the great names, although sadly not quite all. Two of the most famous names, Petrus and Le Pin, were lined up on the day, as well as a host of other top-ranking châteaux such as Château Trotanoy, Château La Conseillante and Château Clinet. Perhaps the most lamented absentee was Château Lafleur, although I suppose there are any number of other estates that would also have been welcomed, from the grandeur of Château L’Évangile and Vieux Château Certan to the likes of Château Le Gay or Château Lafleur-Pétrus.
We all have our own preferences, of course, but I can’t imagine anybody not placing the 2005 Petrus at or at least very near the top of the commune in this particular vintage. With its smoky yet floral perfume and its classic combination of substance and depth and yet also light-footed poise, it is a classic Petrus which should also be ranked among some of the very top wines of the entire vintage. It is a wine of which Jean-Claude Berrouet (pictured below), winemaker at this time (he has of course since given over this responsibility to his son, Olivier) can be justly proud. The inevitable comparison in this tasting is with the 2005 Le Pin of course, and although this was an elegant, rather perfumed wine of appeal, it was not able to match up to the strident confidence of the Petrus, for my palate at least. I am sure it will still be popular though!
