Dom. du Banneret Chateauneuf du Pape 2005 ***

Not surprisingly, the 2005 Banneret is just as gorgeous as the 2004. Successive and integrated layers of sour cherry cola, red currants, quince, ripe oranges, and pinewood, with a mellow peppermint note riding the wood. Underneath it all there's some raw meat, and as the wine opens up - chocolate and mild, whole pepper notes. This is firm, warm, long and complex. A breath-taker.