The 2005 La Grande Annee is a positive surprise for the vintage. It combines a silky palate, lush fruit of apple, lemon and even cherry, with a subtle walnut spice and great mineral freshness. It is not as oxidative as some other vintages and is particularly fine. It is in a nice drinking window now, and will improve and take on the ripeness flavours of nougat, orange peel and dried apricot. However, it does not have the structure for decades of ageing and is creamy and round rather than acidic.
