2005 Lafleur Gazin

An uninspiring effort for this vintage, the 2005 Lafleur-Gazin exhibits herbal, spicy notes along with damp earth, mushroom, and cherry scents. It is a medium-bodied, one-dimensional effort of modest depth and richness. Drink it over the next decade.

Moderately saturated ruby-red. Plum, raspberry and smoked meat on the rather subdued nose. Smooth but tightly wound and unforthcoming, with a medicinal coolness in the middle. A bit inscrutable today, but I don't find the ripeness of the vintage's better examples.

Quite light crimson. Very low-key nose. Simple ripe, slightly animal notes on the nose. Fine tannins still translate as astringence on the finish. Quite chewy and stand offish at present. (JR)