There's black licorice coffee bean and ripe fruit on the nose. Full-bodied with velvety tannins and a wonderful concentration of ripe fruit and currant. Shows tar and vanilla on the finish. Best after 2013. 16665 cases made. –JS

The Château Belgrave 2005 has a slightly rustic nose compared to others with mulberry and damson infused with Provençal herbs and scorched earth aromas. This is quite exotic on the nose, but just lacks a little class. The palate is better than the aromatics: grainy tannins, broody black fruit with a wild mushroom seam. Nicely structured with a delicately spiced, prune-tinged finish. Drinking lovely now but will keep for several years more.

Owned by the famous négociant firm of Dourthe, the 2005 Belgrave is a solid effort from a property that has tremendous upside. This dark ruby/plum-colored wine exhibits classic Médoc notes of tobacco leaf, unsmoked cigars, spice box, blackcurrants and cedar wood. It is medium-bodied, with relatively ripe, soft tannins, and a nice, lush finish. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.