"Bordeaux 2005 - the best vintage in 10, 50, even 100 years!" (Decanter) … this Merlot-rich gem is the fullest, smoothest and most succulent release we've tried from this estate thanks to 'perfect 2005'.

Château Maison Blanche has 17 hectares of vines, planted with 67% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is unusual as most Left Bank wines are Cabernet dominated. As a result, the wines tend to be very round and soft in character. The vines are now 25 years old, and at the optimum maturity for producing really concentrated flavours.

The current generation of the Bouey family have made changes in vineyard management to improve qualityand similarly, have made investments in the cellar too. The wine is matured in oak barrels for ten months.

This Merlot-based claret has a good, deep colour and a lovely soft mouthfeel, with toasty oak aromas and flavours of damsons mulberries and blackcurrants. It will be delicious with roast meats, especially lamb with garlic, game dishes such as venison or rabbit with prunes.

Tom Cannavan WinePages.com Feb 08 2008, United Kingdom