2005 Richebourg Grand Cru

Anne Gros has bottled two sensational grand crus from vintage 2005, and it will be a shame if their lucky owners open these bottles too soon, as they are begging for a decade of cellaring. Two thousand six, on the other hand, possesses rounder tannins and is characterized by redder fruits and sweet, soft spices, according to Gros. "These wines will be a pleasure to drink early and in the medium term while waiting for the '05s," she advised. (A Peter Vezan selection; importers include North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; and The Stacole Company, Boca Raton, FL; also imported by Atherton Wine Imports, Atherton, CA)

Anne Gros described 2005 as "the easiest year I have ever had, in terms of the work in the vines, the growing season itself, the health of the vines and the vinification. The wines are fresh thanks to excellent acidity. There's a good grain to the tannins; they're not the austere wines of a dry year. Everything is in balance." Gros did a fairly short 12-day cuvaison in 2005, following her longest cuvaison to date in 2004. She never exceeds 32oC for the fermentation and sometimes the maximum is more like 30o. (A Peter Vezan selection; importers include North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; and The Stacole Company, Boca Raton, FL; also imported by Atherton Wine Imports, Atherton, CA)