Ripeness seemed to reach record levels in all three of these appellations – perhaps partly because of the relatively high proportion of Merlot – and the better wines of Listrac and Moulis may represent some of the best buys in the 2005. In luxury class there is the truly stunning Ch Margaux here and evidence that the Dutch team at Giscours and Tertre are certainly over-delivering, so let us hope they are moderate with prices. Issan and Marquis d’Alesme Becker did notably well but there are still some under-performers here even in a vintage as truly exceptional as 2005.
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