How good was 2005 for Bordeaux?

Question

Out of 10 would be a good guide. e.g. 2004 = 8/10, 2001 = 7/10, 1990 = 10/10

Answer 1

The critics all seem to agree that 2005 will be a stellar year for Bordeaux. Wine Spectator, Decanter, and of course the influential Robert Parker, all unanimously have hailed the vintage as a classic.

In my mind, there are two criteria for a truly great Bordeaux vintage:

1) Both American and British critics, who are often on opposite polarities when it comes to opinion on Bordeaux, agree that it's a classic vintage.
2) The main thing that makes a vintage truly great is that there was uniformly ideal quality all throughout Bordeaux. That is, you could almost close your eyes and buy from any region, any producer whether classified growth or cru bourgeois, right or left bank and end up buying something of high quality which lives up to the standard of the vintage.

Any year in Bordeaux will produce some great wines but you do not always get the consistency. For example, in a weak year such as 2002 or 2004 (let's say 7/10 on your scale), the top growths may still be able to produce a really good product because they have the best micro-climate and soil condition and also they can afford the resources needed to go to extreme measures in the vineyard to adapt the vines to the weather conditions that year. However, the average wine that is in the price range of the average person would be substandard.

Even with 2003, about a quarter of the producers made superb wines, but the extreme heat of the vintage resulted in mediocre wines for everyone else.

In 2000 and 2005, the conditions were ideal everywhere in Bordeaux. This means consumers in all different budget ranges will be happy:

1) If you've got the cash, you can afford to buy the first growths and they will be of supernatural quality and longevity.
2) If you have a limited budget like everyone else, there are excellent quality wines to be had for relatively cheap at the 4th and 5th growth levels and amongst the Cru Bourgeois and petits chateaux.

So, if 2005 lives up to the hype, it should easily be a 10/10 vintage.