A red with a solid core of berry, chocolate and raspberry character. Full, soft and dense. This could be better than 2000. —J.S.

Intense almost black colour. Deep, very ripe, and very fresh nose with hints of spice, cedar, and stewed blackcurrant. Raspberry aromas overlay very subtle oak after swirling in the glass, and there is an overall impression of very ripe fresh fruit. 2005 L'Archange starts out very rich on the palate. There is a great deal of tannin, but this is perfectly balanced and quite delicious, with excellent structure and enormous finesse. The paramount flavour is crème de cassis with a mineral aspect on the aftertaste and outstanding length. If any wine can be considered successful in 2005, it must be L’Archange!

Pascal Chatonnet.