Château Haut-Beausejour Saint-Estephe 2005

Blend: 52% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Côt

The 2005 vintage is a richly colored, deep red wine. The nose is a hedonist's delight: an endless array of red- and black-berry fruit, with notes of stewed apples and jam overlaid by discreet, elegantly classy hints of wood and aromas of spice and tobacco.

On the palate, the taste is very slow to develop but remains elegant without a trace of hardness or dryness, and a finesse and elegance that echo the nose. This is sure to be a great, long-lived wine and already is quite exceptional.