Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines - 2005 (750ml)

Showing fabulously well, and better than I predicted, the 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines is one of the vintage’s great successes, and still very reasonably priced for a wine of such quality. Dense saturated ruby/purple in color, it offers up a nose of melted licorice, roasted meat, tar, graphite, and oodles of blackberry and sweet cherry fruit. Quite full-bodied, with good acidity, moderate tannins, and a multi-dimensional mouthfeel, the wine has superb balance, fabulous concentration, and a long, long finish. The tannins suggest 2-3 years of bottle age would be appropriate, but the wine can be drunk now, although it should also evolve for up to two decades. Wine Advocate #173 Oct 2007
Robert Parker - 95 points