Bordeaux 2005: Union des Grand Crus, Beijing (Part 2)

29th November 2008

A large, enthusiastic gathering assembled for this year’s UGC Beijing tasting - showcasing the fabled 2005 vintage - at the Swissotel, Dongsishitiao.

The Bordeaux chateaux owners we spoke with all reported a great deal of interest in the 05 vintage as well as having to field some pretty penetrating questions (rather than the usual inquiries they’ve come to expect in China as to price and, well, price…).

Even with the Hilton Food & Wine Experience taking place the same day, this was far the larger crowd-drawer; and involved the odd moment of determination just to get around even a sample of the wines.

In Part 1 we covered all of the 2005 Sauternes/Barsacs on offer. In this post we turn to what reds we could get near enough to taste!

For our reviews of the red 2004 vintage last year, click on the following links: Part IIIa, Part IIIb, Part IIIc, Part IIId.

Clearly, last year we got the chance to taste many more wines!

But here’s what we sampled of the red 2005s (click on links for full tasting notes):

From Saint Emilion:

Château Angélus, St. Emilion 2005

From Haut-Médoc:

Château La Lagune, Haut-Médoc 2005

From Margaux:

Château du Tertre, Margaux 2005

Château Giscours, Margaux 2005

From Saint Julien:

Château Langoa Barton, St. Julien 2005

Château Léoville Barton, St. Julien 2005

Château Léoville-Poyferré, St. Julien 2005

From Pauillac:

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron, Pauillac 2005

Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac 2005

From St. Estèphe:

Château Phélan Ségur, St. Estèphe 2005

These wines are unsuprisingly for the long term and many will make excellent drinking from 2015 (in some cases, at the very earliest).

With luck, the merits of ageing these kinds of wines for future consumption will become better understood in China. Judging by the enthusiasm at this year’s UGC, the future bodes well for Bordeaux here, even given the current global economic crisis.

At least we know the 2005 vintage will be very good in the future.