Still quite deeply colored. Ripe, and still remarkably primary for 17 years of age, aromas are incredibly spicy with its notes of plum and dark berry compote along with a wonderful array of floral nuances. There is both excellent volume and delineation to the focused, powerful and muscular larger-scaled flavors that display massive length if perhaps not quite the incredible depth of the 1999. Even so, this monument in the making is clearly still improving and is at least a decade away from its peak. Moreover, the awe-inspiring 2005 RC has the distinction of being the most powerful vintage in the tasting, though perhaps at the expense of some refinement relative to the very finest examples. I would note that an hour plus of air was highly beneficial.

---

Show more

---

---

Show less

---