2005 Bordeaux wine vintage report with harvest information, vintage characteristics, list of the top wines, buying tips and links. If you are seeking more in-depth information on anything and everything related to the Bordeaux wine region please see the: All About Bordeaux Wine Guide
To read current tasting notes on the best 2005 Bordeaux wine: 2005 Bordeaux Wine Tasting Notes, Ratings, Reviews
2005 Bordeaux wine is the product of a hot, dry, growing season. From start to finish, the conditions were perfect! While dry, there was just enough moisture at the right times to nourish the vines. The flowering took place at the beginning of June. During the late summer months, some vines had become stressed from the drought, but the rains which fell August 17 in the Right Bank and August 25 in the Medoc was just what the doctor ordered! This was followed by another dose of rain at the perfect moment, which gave more nourishment to the dry Bordeaux vineyards on September 8 and again on September 25. What had at one point been considered potential drought issues was completely eradicated by this point in time. Starting in late September and continuing into October, the days were sunny and warm, with chilly night temperatures. This allowed the grapes to be harvested under picture perfect conditions and gave the growers the opportunity to wait until the fruit achieved phenolic ripeness. The combination of warm days, cold nights and just enough rain at the right moments produced extraordinary 2005 Bordeaux wine!
2005 Bordeaux wine remains a contender for the finest vintage from Bordeaux in modern times. Although, that title could now pass to 2009 Bordeaux. But as this page is about 2005 Bordeaux wine, let’s look at the reasons for why 2005 Bordeaux wine is held in such high regard. There are many reasons for this. Foremost is the level of consistency. Great wines were produced from the Medoc, the Right Bank and Pessac Leognan. If that wasn’t enough, all the satellite appellations also made great wine. The character of the vintage marries power, elegance, purity, freshness, balance and harmony. The wines are tannic, but round. The vintage will require time to develop and should age effortlessly for decades. St. Emilion is a contender for the best appellation of the vintage. From top to bottom, the wines are stunning! To easily illustrate how great 2005 Bordeaux wines are: I recently tasted all the top wines of the vintage: 2005 Bordeaux Wine Tasting Notes
2005 Bordeaux wine was the first, across the board very expensive year in the world marketplace. Record prices were asked, and received for the wines. 2005 Bordeaux wine sold and moved up in price at a brisk pace. However, the biggest gains on most of the wines did not last, due to the world-wide recession. By 2011, that trend appeared to be changing. Prices are slowly starting to make a comeback fueled by a strong auction market. Plus, the shocking high prices charged for the even more expensive 2009 Bordeaux wines, as well as the 2010 Bordeaux wines made 2005 Bordeaux wine look like a bargain as a comparison.
Regardless of which appellation is your favorite, in this vintage, great 2005 Bordeaux wine was produced there. St. Emilion is destined for legendary status. It is the most consistent, top to bottom commune of the vintage. Pomerol is another across the board success. Pessac Leognan produced wines of stunning quality. In the Left Bank, St. Estephe was led by Cos d’Estournel. Pauillac is extraordinary, as is St. Julien and Margaux. The level of consistency found in 2005 Bordeaux wine is unheard of. Even the dry white wines of Pessac Leognan and the sweet, white Bordeaux wine from Sauternes are of high quality. Interestingly, while 2005 Bordeaux wine deserves all its high praise and fame, for such a famous vintage, Robert Parker only gave two wines perfect 100 Pt scores, Chateau L’Eglise Clinet from Pomerol and Chateau Ausone from St. Emilion.
Below is a list of the top 2005 Bordeaux wine that combine quality and price. They are very good wines. But this list is focused on value and quality, not only the wines with the highest scores. 2005 Best Bordeaux wine for the money today
To read about other Bordeaux vintages from 1945 to today: Bordeaux Year to Year Detailed Vintage Reports 1945 to Today
