Chateau de Lisse, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Discovered hiding in a back corner. Still drinking quite well - closed on opening, hints of red fruit persist; clear ruby slight brick tint. Dry tannins consistent finish. Astoundingly good for its 16 years!

Zacht en soepele Merlot uit Saint Emilion. Neus van kersen, bramen, banaan en vanille. In de mond een beetje vegetaal, krachtige tannines en milde zuren. Geen uitgesproken fruit accent, lichte kers en gekookte biet; beetje notig en een licht zoetje. Redelijke afdronk

13.5%. Shows a little fading at the rim. Initially dark plummy fruit, but after the fruit blows off noticeable underlying secondary characteristics of raisins and rancio. However, suprisingly grippy, and complemented by a bracing acidity, make this a well rounded and complete wine. This is at a good stage now, and given my recent experience with the 2001 vintage, I suggest drink this now. Very good. I would not hold lesser vintages, though, more than 6-8 years. Went well with …

13.5%. Lithe and restrained. Good balance of fruit and acid, with just a little tannic chew on the finish. Needs air, a bit reserved at cellar termperature, but continues to develop in the glass up to 45mins. It's in a nice drinking spot right now. Good with oxtail stew, and beef tongue dry-simmered in a mushroom cream butter sauce; the following day finished up accompanied by a BigMac and a QuarterPounder with fries, and it still went well. Very good.

More open, soft, lush, than previous bottle. Pleasant. Peak drinking I would think.

In glass for about an hour.. a value 05 bordeaux that i picked up to expand my palate, since most of my experience lies in californian wine. Color is ruby red, with a slight brick effect on the . edges. Nose is sweet cherry, dirty and dusty. A little bit of gaminess, almost like salumi. Leather on the palate. Pepper. Light herbaciousness. Gentle tannin, and finishes flat. Uninspiring, but at this price point can't complain. I'll open my second bottle …

13.5%. Passed through a vinturi. Immediately identifiable as a bordeaux. Pencil shavings and tobacco notes. Understated dark fruit. Solidly structured. Very good claret.

Just goes to show, almost impossible to find a bad Bdx from '05.