Rarely do vintages like 2005 come along in the Bordeaux. The temperatures were warm during the day and cool at night. The rains came at just the right time and then held off into the fall so that the grapes could ripen just a touch more than the typical vintage.

Yields were also strong, which means that there were plenty of good grapes available for declassified Bordeaux. This wine is a stellar example of what can be done with such a beneficent harvest: It received the Bronze Medal at the Paris Exposition in 2007.

The blend on this wine is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, which allows it of offer a fruity nose and soft, supple tannins in the mouth. The wine is showing well now but will benefit from another 3-5 years of ageing.

Enjoy with beef, game and hearty stews. It also pairs well with soft, nutty cheeses.