John Gilman 95+  The Château Magdelaine from the 2005 vintage is going to be one of the longest-lived recent top years from this excellent estate, but the inherent structure of the vintage is going to demand plenty of patience before drinking. The lovely nose wafts from the glass in a deep and sappy blend of sweet dark berries, black cherries, chalky soil tones, tobacco leaf, a nice touch of new oak and a topnote of cigar smoke. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, tangy and rock solid at the core, with superb soil signature and grip, ripe, firm tannins, a superb spine of acidity and excellent length on the poised and impeccably balanced finish. This is going to be stunning wine down the road, but it is going to evolve at a leisurely pace. (Drink between 2035 - 2100)

Vinous (Ian d'Agata) 94+  Bright ruby. Sexy, compelling nose of blackcurrant, violet, white pepper and minerals is an absolute knockout. Then very refined on the palate, with a delicate spiciness to the blackcurrant, red plum and mineral flavors, but with noteworthy fleshiness and ripeness lifted by harmonious acidity. This is a very great and impeccably balanced Magdelaine in the making. Finishes long and silky, with a persistent strawberry note. Jean-Claude Berrouet considers this to be a classic Magdelaine: very well balanced and delicious. I think this is an excellent example of just how easy it is to misjudge Magdelaine on release and how well it develops in bottle in strong vintages.