Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Cadettes La Nerthe 2005 (750ML)

96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com: "Even more impressive than a bottle a year ago, the blockbuster 2005 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Cadettes is packed with cassis and black cherry fruit that’s intermixed with smoke, loads of spice, and dried meat notes. Smelling like the essence of a Provençal Market, this is incredibly complex as well as focused and pure. Medium to full bodied on the palate, the wine is more structured and straight on the palate than the ’06, showing a more compact, firm texture (compared to the ’06 that expands in the mouth and shows more fat) as well as a touch more focus and delineation. Better? I think so, but not by much, and the ’06 will probably drink well at an earlier age. If you’re lucky enough to have some of these, give bottles a good 6 to 8 years and then drink over the following 25 years. Wow." 08/10

94 Points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous: "Inky ruby. Exotic, opulent aromas of dark berry and cherry preserves, licorice, incense and potpourri. Extremely rich but at the same time lithe and precise, offering sweet, deep raspberry, blueberry and candied floral flavors, plus strong mineral lift. Tannins gain strength on the finish, which leaves behind a wide swath of sweet dark fruits." 01/09