Château Puygueraud Red Bordeaux Blend Côtes de Francs Cuvée George 2005

Blackberry and cherry aromas, with hints of vanilla. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a delicious finish. Plenty in the bottle here. Good value. Best after 2010.

The 2005 Puygueraud is a beautifully textured, dense purple-colored effort. The bouquet offers up aromas of tobacco leaf, black currants, cherries, charcoal, and a hint of background wood. Drink it over the next 5andndash;7 years.

Some obscure terroirs excelled in the bizarre 2003 vintage, and this is the finest effort I have tasted from the Thienpont familyrsquo;s Cotes de Franc estate. The wine exhibits a black/purple color as well as surprising power and density. The regular 2003 is a rich, concentrated effort with medium body as well as more depth and intensity than expected. It should be drunk over the next 6ndash;8 years.

Bright medium ruby. Sexy, ripe aromas of plum, red currant, smoke and minerals. Big, plummy and round; unusually rich and ripe for this Cotes de Francs estate. A broad, chocolatey big boy that finishes with substantial but ripe, dusty tannins. Very satisfying.

Shows lovely black currant, floral and black licorice notes. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a tight bead of fruit and mineral throughout. Has a long finish. Best after 2009.

A blend of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Malbec, the nearly outstanding 2003 Puygueraud may be the finest wine this estate has ever produced. A late harvest ensured a deep ruby/purple-tinged wine with terrific ripeness, loads of black fruits, underbrush, incense, and Asian spices. This full, powerful effort should age for a minimum of 10 years.

(Barrel tasting) Good blackberry jam character, with medium to full body, soft tannins and a medium finish. Lovely length to this. Continues to be an excellent value from Bordeaux. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.