Duke of Bourbon: E-mail Specials

2005 was a great vintage throughout Bordeaux. The growing season was nearly perfect and many have called it the vintage of a lifetime. The really good news is that wines in the "lower" classifications were affected positively, not just the first-growths.

We had a chance to taste some of those sleepers from both the Right and Left Banks and have chosen a few to offer you. These are some terrific wines and the even better news is that they are sensational bargains when one factors in the price. Read on and be tempted.

Chateau Larrivaux, Haut Medoc
Robert Parker scored it 87-89 points and noted: "This lower pedigree wine represents undeniable quality/value rapport in 2005. This vintage is so deep in quality among the better run, less heralded estates, that these wines should appeal to readers looking for terrific values from Bordeaux. Most of these wines are Merlot-based and will be drinkable young. Sleeper of the vintage." Beautiful label! Looks and tastes like twice the price. All the Duke's staff flipped over its value. (Note: Flipped is a highly technical wine term used by the staff to describe sensory overload!)

Duke's price - $17.99 per 750ml bottle or $16.99 each when purchasing 6 or more

This one rates as Steve's Pick!

Chateau Lafont Fourcat, Bordeaux
This chateau is not-well known, but has produced what we would call a true sleeper. It has not yet rated by the critics, but the Duke's staff members raved when we tasted it. The wine is bold and rich and full of great fruit flavors with the crisp acidity and tannins one demands in a good Bordeaux wine. It is Merlot-based, pleasing to the palate and ready to go, but with the substance to drink well for the next 5-7 years.

Duke's price - $15.99 per 750ml bottle or $14.99 each with the purchase of 6 or more

Chateau Vieux Clos, St.-Emilion
Parker awarded it 88-89 points and commented: "Made in a supple, velvety-textured style with attractive levels of black currant and cherry fruit, this cuvee, which comes from a vineyard planted on sandy, gravelly soils, is elegant, soft, and hedonistic. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years." Our notes were more simple, "Wow!!"

Duke's price - $23.99 per 750ml bottle or $22.99 each when purchasing 6 or more

Chateau Puygueraud, Bordeaux
This chateau is a real winner. We have been selling their wine for over two decades. The 2005 vintage is a real value! Parker gave it 88-90 points. His notes included: "No Cuvee Georges was produced in 2005, but the regular Puygueraud is a full-bodied, powerful effort boasting a black/purple color as well as super-sweet aromas of licorice, blackberries, raspberries, and minerals. Floral, rich, solidly constructed, pure, nuanced, and layered, it may merit an outstanding rating once the tannin becomes integrated." Our tastebuds agree with Mr. Parker! Nothing short of sensational!!

Duke's price - $25.50 per 750ml bottle or $23.99 each with the purchase of 6 or more

Chateau Marquis de Calon, St.-Estephe
This is the second wine of Chateau Calon-Segur. Just like it's big brother, the tannins are definitely there, but that wonderful fruit provides the balance to allow this wine to be drinkable in the near term. Parker rated Calon-Segur 94-96 points. The Duke's staff thinks the second wine would come in right on that one's heels. Great juice!

Duke's price - $35.00 per 750ml bottle or $32.99 each with the purchase of 6 or more

Chateau La Gomerie, St.-Emilion
Although we have it listed last, La Gomerie is certainly not least. Parker rated it 94-96 points and enthused: "One of the All-Star garage operations, this 100% Merlot cuvee from a 6-acre, 32-year old vineyard is a consistently exotic/flamboyant St.-Emilion that some of the wine world's reactionaries presumably find too tasty and over-the-top. The deep purple-hued 2005 (1,000 cases produced; 14.5% natural alcohol) may turn out to be La Gomerie's finest effort to date, and certainly rivals the 2000. It offers an exotic perfume of jammy blackberries, kirsch liqueur, melted licorice, and roasted coffee. Fruit, glycerin, and massive extract conceal a touch of sweet oak, and the wine cascades over the palate with magnificent layers of glycerin and richness. This huge, rich, impeccably well-balanced St.-Emilion possesses remarkable freshness and delineation. It will be irresistible young as it should not close down after bottling." The Duke's staff flipped (see definition above) over this one, too!

Duke's price - $152.50 per 750ml bottle

Young wine not your priority right now? Follow this link for a beautifully aged Bordeaux - 1996 Chateau Lanessan. We retasted it recently and our already lofty opinion was only reinforced. It is definitely drinking at its peak. Buy it today, let it settle for a few days after shipping and break out your glassware!