2005 Haut Marbuzet

Proprietor Henri Duboscq made a delicious, sexy style of St.-Estèphe in 2005. Dark plum/ruby/purple, with notes of smoky oak, espresso, medium body and lots of fruit, it is a relatively lush, heady style of St.-Estèphe that is far more seductive and accessible than most wines of this appellation in 2005. Drink it over the next decade.

Pungent nose and very rich and ripe – very 2005 in fact with nice balance. There’s good freshness here even if the acidity is higher than in many of its peers. Matter of taste. Not one of the most opulent 2005 St-Estèphes but an attractive drink. Fine tannins on the finish. (JR)