2005 Clos l'Eglise, Cotes de Castillon, Bordeaux

Chateau Clos l'Eglise is one of the stars in the relatively new Cotes de Castillon region of Bordeaux which is a few miles east of the elite St. Emilion appellation.  It received 89 points from Robert Parker:  "Now owned by Gerard Perse, this estate now makes attractive, elegant wines.  The 2005 Clos l'Eglise (70% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) exhibits notes of sweet cranberries, jammy black cherries and strawberries, crushed rocks and flowers.  With a dense purple color, medium body, loads of fruit, and a soft, round mouthfeel and finish, it can be enjoyed over the next 5-6 years."

The wine received 90-91 points from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:  "Full ruby-red.  Ripe, complex nose melds cassis, kirsch, licorice, earth, mocha and truffle.  Ripe, sexy and sweet, with lovely energy and a youthfully cool quality to the dark fruit and mineral flavors.  Precide, powerful Cotes de Castillon wine, finishing with building tannins and considerable breadth."

This wine usually sells for $36-40, and it is currently offered for $19.99 at K&L Wines while supplies last.  With a price under $20, I think it is definitely a high-QPR wine.  It is a relatively big wine, with good structure and full tannins, that will cellar well for 5-6 years.  For drinking now, I would suggest decanting and letting it breath for a couple hours or more before serving.