Nose: Ripe freshy fruit and berries lead of this highly aromatic wine.
Later, the tobacco, coffee and chocolate comes through yet is well married with the vanilla.
Palate: Agreeable, mature tannins elegantly convey the best expressions of the Puente Alto vines.
The pleasant, long finish displays great harmony and balance in this vintage.
Robert Parker 94 points - The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is opaque purple-colored with aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, scorched earth, black currant, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by an opulent, very intense, complex Cabernet with gobs of savory fruit, exceptional depth, and enough structure to evolve for 6-8 years. This lengthy, classy effort will be at its best from 2015 to 2035. (Oct 2008)
Wine Spectator 96 points - Still very tight, but the tannins that lead the way now are sleek and refined, and should easily meld into the huge core of roasted chestnut, black currant paste, warm fig and tar. Has a long, coffee- and loam-tinged finish. Best from 2009 through 2019. 18,000 cases made. –JM
The #12 in Wine Spectator’s 2008 Top 100
