2005 Barde Haut
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Another 2005 that's drinking at point yet has plenty of life ahead of it, the 2005 Château Barde-Haut reveals a dense plum/purple hue as well as a mineral-laced bouquet of red and black fruits, dried flowers, truffly earth, and graphite. With medium to full-bodied richness, it has terrific mid-palate depth, a focused, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. I'd certainly be thrilled to have bottles in the cellar, and it will evolve gracefully for another 10-15 years, although there's no need to delay gratification at this point.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2005 Barde-Haut offers deep brambly black fruit on the nose, becoming quite plummy, not intense with a slightly airy element. Hints of cooked meat emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a sharp entry, a little soy here with a bit of rusticity towards the finish. Just a bit stolid now at 16-years of age, yet certainly with the substance to age. I see no problem broaching this now and over the next decade. Tasted at the Barde-Haut vertical at the château.
The 2005 Barde-Haut is wonderfully silky and polished. Usually much more of a powerhouse, the 2005 is defined by energy, delineation and persistence. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice, spice and lavender all build with time in the glass. Give it a few hours of air, as the tannins are pretty imposing.