2005 Domaine Henri Boillot Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru***

Reticent nose hints at menthol and spices. Then wonderfully flavorful and gripping in the mouth, with a sweet orange marmalade flavor framed by lively acidity. At once superripe and precise, and fresh and very long on the aftertaste. This was picked at the beginning of the harvest, with potential alcohol of 13.8%. Boasts superb intensity and density of material.

(with thanks to the Phoenix Chevaliers). An intensely floral and still exceptionally fresh nose is nuanced with hints of spice and citrus where the latter can also be found on the textured and borderline massive flavors that display absolutely no sense of heaviness on the exceptionally rich finish that drenches and stains the palate. This is a big wine yet there is a firm acid backbone that keeps everything in ideal balance and overall, it's an extremely impressive effort. While the abundant dry extract enables this, like many '05s, to drink with pleasure now, in magnum format I personally would allow for at least another 4 to 5 years of bottle age. Apr 2016, www.burghound.com, Drink: 2015+

Reticent nose hints at menthol and spices. Then wonderfully flavorful and gripping in the mouth, with a sweet orange marmalade flavor framed by lively acidity. At once superripe and precise, and fresh and very long on the aftertaste. This was picked at the beginning of the harvest, with potential alcohol of 13.8%. Boasts superb intensity and density of material. Jul 2006, www.vinous.com