Winemaker Notes
Georges de Latour is the classic, original "Reserve" California wine, reflecting many decades of experience with some of Napa Valley's most historic vineyards. This wine was aged for 21 months in oak. Hand-harvested fruit, whole berries, careful but vigorous extraction during fermentation, and gentle handling throughout the winemaking process yield a stunning wine for the ages.
The 2005 vintage of this extraordinary wine offers intense aromas of black fruits, mocha, toast, and briar. It is full-bodied, with rich, mouth-filling tannins and deeply concentrated black currant, vanilla, and anise flavors. This vintage will require seven to nine years of aging to reach maturity, yet tastes fine now — an excellent example of the vintage.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Blended of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour was aged for 20 months in 90% French oak, 8% American oak and 2% “European oak,” 80% of which was new. Medium to deep garnet colored, the nose is quite closed to begin, then with coaxing, it reveals subtle crème de cassis, chocolate-covered cherries and blueberry compote notions with suggestions of espresso, lilacs, licorice and cedar chest. Full-bodied (14.8% alcohol) and built like a brick house, the palate is concentrated and densely laden with black fruit preserves and savory layers giving way to earth and floral fireworks on the long finish. Just entering its drinking window, this beauty still has a long life ahead!
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Wine Enthusiast
Classic structured, firm and soft at the same time, with a lyrical, creamy mouthfeel. The tannins are evident now, but that is characteristic of a young Georges, and the reason it ages so well. The depth of blackberries, cherries and currants is unreal and persistent. This is one for the cellar and will age for at least a decade and probably far longer. Try to keep your hands off it until after 2011.
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Wine & Spirits
A vineyard selection from blocks in Rutherford, St. Helena and Oakville, this classic cabernet from Beaulieu contrasts dark tannins and brighter fruit flavors. The finish lasts with warm scents of baking spices and earth. Firm and supple, this will age well, or decant it long before dinner with roast beef.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.