Clearly a wine made for future generations, Clos de Sarpe, with its tendency for tiny yields of under 25 hectoliters per hectare, has fashioned a 1,000 case blend of 85% Merlot and the rest old vine Cabernet Franc. Over recent vintages, this wine has been among the most concentrated and formidably tannic and backward made in Bordeaux. A claret for those with 19th century tastes, it offers good purity, ripe tannin, and an extraordinary display of concentration, extract, power, and tannic clout. The 2005 is a mammoth yet incredibly well-balanced St.-Emilion that represents an anomaly in modern day winemaking. It is a pleasure to see a proprietor push the envelope and create a wine that will be appreciated for 40-50 years. Classic sweet black cherry, licorice, roasted herb, and underbrush characteristics are present in this formidable, full-bodied, powerful wine. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2050.

Intense aromas of blackberry with dark chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied, with good fruit and a medium finish. Slightly hollow midpalate. Could move up a notch. (BT)