Hints of bricking around the edges of the wine, still firm ruby in the core. Sandalwood, cedar, liquorice and fennel aromatics, followed by gentle autumnal fruit, this has complexity and effortless charm. So much pleasure here, and you feel it's just at the very beginning of its drinking crescendo. A masterclass in limestone, just begging to be paired with food. Far less focused and concentrated than you would find this wine today, and at this point it was four years away from Nicolas Thienpont arriving as director, but the power of the terroir shines through.

The 2005 Château Beausejour (Duffau-Lagarrosse) is beautiful, and I think is a step up over the Château’s 2001. A healthy ruby/plum hue, with no sense of lightening, is followed by a beautiful perfume of red and black fruits, spice-box, tobacco, and white truffle-like nuance. With the vintage’s dense, focused, inward style, it has notable freshness, fine tannins, and a great finish. It’s a beautiful, powerful, yet elegant expression of the fabulous terroir. Enjoy bottles anytime over the coming 15 years.

(92-94 points) Fabulous aromas of blackberry licorice and flowers. Wonderful nose. Full-bodied with racy tannins and a long finish. This is powerful and rich. This is very long and velvety. Gorgeous. The winemaker here thinks it could match the great 1990 and 1989. Almost classic quality.

Getting close to ready, you find tobacco, olives, red fruits and crushed stones without effort. There is a strong salty character to the tannins, and freshness in the juicy, red plum finish. The tannins are still noticeable, so give this another 3-5 years before pulling a cork. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2005+Beausejour

This is much better than my previous encounter when it was served blind. Even though it is surpassed by the 2009, the 2005 has a very introverted bouquet with baked black cherry, soy and a little marmalade. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp red cherry and balsamic tinged entry. It has nice length but is very tight and unresponsive on the finish that shows a touch of hardness. On this occasion, the 2009 has the upper hand. Tasted December 2012.

While no one will confuse the 2005 with this estate's prodigious 1990 it is an outstanding effort from one of St.-Emilion's finest terroirs. In terms of potential the vineyard is exceeded only by Ausone Pavie and Belair for micro-climate and exposition. A beautiful dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by an ethereal nose of blueberry liqueur spring flowers melted licorice raspberries and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied with good acidity sweet but high tannin a broad mouthfeel and admirable elegance as well as freshness this beauty should age easily for 25+ years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.