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Sanctus 2005

St Emilion, Grand Cru

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Units Size Case size GBP Price: Quantities Buy
12 75cl Bottle Case 12 £530 per Case Case [Add to shopping basket]
Tasting Notes

From a special 7.5 acre parcel culled from the Bienfaisance vineyard, this 1,000-case cuvee is dominated by its Merlot component (the blend also includes some Cabernet Franc). As are most of St.-Emilion’s garigiste wines, it is given a Burgundian-like treatment of pre-fermentation cold maceration, malolactic in barrel, aging on its lees, and little clarification, all designed to accentuate the terroir, and enhance the wine’s texture and perfume. The stunningly perfumed 2005 offers up notions of toast, black cherry jam, blackberries, espresso roast, white chocolate, and juicy meat. It is full-bodied as well as opulent for the vintage, with a gorgeous texture, and a long, 35+ second finish. Consume it over the next 15 or more years.

Score: 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2023 30 April 2008

A garagiste selection from a 7.5-acre parcel culled from Chateau La Bienfaisance’s vineyard, Sanctus is a 1,000-case cuvee made from a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Perfectionist winemaking techniques, including small yields of 30-38 hectoliters per hectare, long macerations, malolactic in barrel, and aging sur-lie, have resulted in a stunningly rich, profound St.-Emilion. An inky/purple color is followed by aromas of graphite, camphor, blackberry liqueur, white chocolate, pain grille, and spice. This superb, full-bodied, opulent, well-textured wine should be drinkable young, but age easily for 15 or more years.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2022 30 April 2007

Sanctus is the luxury cuvee of Chateau La Bienfaisance, and the 2005 is unquestionably their finest effort to date. A 90% Merlot/10% Cabernet Franc blend fashioned from yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare, this blockbuster boasts an inky/purple color in addition to scents of graphite, blueberries, blackberries, cassis, and espresso roast. Dense, rich, and pure, with high, but sweet tannin, amazing levels of glycerin, and a 40+ second finish, it should drink well young yet age effortlessly for 15-18 years.

Score: 92 - 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2006-2024 30 April 2006