2005 Chateau Destieux St. Emilion

(93 Points) Proprietor Christian Dauriac has hit a home run with his 2005 Destieux. The tremendous effort he has been putting into this property over the last decade has been rewarded with a well-deserved upgrade in the recent Classification of St.-Emilion. A blend of 66% Merlot and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon (from 45-year old vines), the nearly black-colored 2005 reveals aromas of roasted meats, sweet blackberry and cassis fruit, licorice, tar, smoke, and incense. A modern day blockbuster with superb purity, density, concentration, and length, it should round into drinkable form with another 5-8 years of bottle age, and last for 2-3 decades. It is good to see the only flaw in older vintages, the rusticity of the tannins, completely tamed. Wine Advocate # 176, April 2008