94+

Stephen Tanzer

Vinous

Deep red-ruby. Explosive nose offers superripe plum jam and chocolate notes complicated by smoked meat and lifted by minerality; some violet and black pepper nuances reminded me of Cote-Rotie. Large-scaled, broad and thick; less racy and delineated today than the young 2006 but then this very young wine's minerality and fruit are currently hidden by its mass of baby fat. Compellingly lush and sweet but a bit monolithic today, with its energy partly hidden: one really feels the sun of the 2005 summer here. The huge but fine tannins, and the 14.3% alcohol, should carry this wine for decades, and my current score may prove to be very conservative.

97

Neal Martin

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

Tasted at the pre-dinner vertical to mark Sylvain Pitiot's retirement from the domaine, the 2005 Clos de Tart Grand Cru (tasted from magnum) is bestowed a magnificent bouquet of haunting intensity and purity: wild strawberry and raspberry - every atom infused with mineral/cold stone scents with amazing focus. The palate is simply to die for. Here, a precise lattice of tannin that is incredibly framed with perfect poise and detail, there is a gentle crescendo to an incisive finish that takes your breath away. Could this be Sylvain Pitior's greatest achievement alongside the 2002? Astonishingly fine - très grand cru, très délicieux.