($150, Sovereign Wine Imports): The 2005 vintage was exceptional in Bordeaux, and, indeed, throughout France.  The weather was perfect throughout the growing season.  The right amount of sun and the right amount of rain at the right time brought the grapes to perfect maturity.  Harvest occurred under sunny dry conditions so the grapes came to the winery in ideal condition. Château Lassègue, recently acquired by California’s Jess Jackson group, decided to hold back this wine, their top of the line bottling, until they felt it was ready, which explains why it’s their current release.  Very aromatic — the aromas fill the room when you pull the cork — it shows the beauty of Bordeaux.  The superb balanced combination of ripe fruit flavors offset by herbaceous earthy notes delights the palate.  A lovely subtle bitterness in the mouth-watering finish cries for food.  Glossy, but firm tannins, allow you to drink it now with simply grilled lamb chops — a simple preparation allows the complexity and glory of this wine to shine.  As enjoyable as it is now, it still has plenty of evolution to go, so there’s no rush.  Save some space in your cellar for this graceful wine.
93 Michael Apstein Sep 9, 2014