Wine of the Moment, 2005 Larose-Trintaudon Bordeaux

The 2005 vintage in Bordeaux was touted by many as one of the best seen in decades.  Even those who disagree, finding the 2000, 2003, 1996 and 1982 the finest in recent history, still regard 2005 as a stellar year.  But the overall consensus seems to be that it's difficult to go wrong when selecting a 2005 red Bordeaux.

The trick for people like us is finding those stellar wines that you can drink at a reasonable price.  It is easy to find expensive great wine, especially with Bordeaux, if you have the wallet to support such a habit.  Our goal at Swirl is to find those hidden gems that won't cost you an arm and a leg but provide a really enjoyable experience.  And we struck gold this week, and we want to share it with you...

So back to that great vintage.  In Bordeaux the summer of 2005 was hot, but not excessively so, which allowed the fruit to develop good flavor and fresh acidity.  Also the near drought conditions produced small, concentrated berries with a tough skin, resulting in wines with nice tannic structure.  So in a very brief nutshell you have all of the conditions needed for age-worthy wine:  great fruit, good acid and substantial tannic structure.

The Larose-Trintaudon is one of those bottles that you just shouldn't pass up, whether you care anything about 2005 Bordeaux or not.  It's just a beautiful expression of both the vintage and the region and at the $18.99 price tag, you've got nothing to lose.  It is a "Cru Bourgeois Superieur"  a category developed for wines of high quality that were not included in the original 1855 classification.  This wine is not new to the store as we've carried the two previous vintages as well, which have been very good, but this has definitely been the best to date.

This Haut Medoc is 60% Cabernet and 40% Merlot.  Medium bodied with ripe blackcurrant fruit, a judicious use of oak, integrated tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate there's a little mocha and smoky coffee; it is round, supple and elegant and is drinking beautifully, but I'm not sure how much longevity is has so buy it now!