CHÂTEAU MARGAUX 1ER GRAND CRU CLASSÉ 2005

Tasted single blind at Southwold. The crystalline nose here is primal, backward, takes some coaxing from the glass: blackberry, bilberry, briary, graphite and a spellbinding sense of mineralite. The palate is beautifully balanced with svelte tannins. Touches of sandalwood inflecting the pure fruit, deftly integrated new oak; incredible length once again. Despite the vice-like grip on the finish there is a feminine quality to this wine. Quite simply: it takes your breath away. Perfection. Drink date: 2015-2040+. Tasted January 2009. (Neal Martin,robertparker.com,July 30, 2009)