Chateau Mayne-Vieil Cuvee Alienor 2005; Fronsac, Bordeaux, France

This is great wine from the now legendary 2005 of Bordeaux. The wine has a very nice nose of black fruit and violets. Merlot based, this (predictably) tannic wine is surprisingly fruity and drinkable for a young Bordeaux. But it is delicious. And that's not to say it's only fruity. Cherry, slight plum, cedar, smoke, and almond all make an appearance. Even tobacco and a slight bit of coffee. The finish is pleasantly sweet and vanilla-y. This is not a huge wine. Not super concentrated; probably not as long lived as some other Bordeaux, but an excellent value and highly recommended at it's $22 price point. Pick some up!