94-96 Barrel sample. A superbly elegant wine that hides its power well. There are dry tannins, blackberry fruits, elevated acidity, and just a hint of raisins. -Wine Enthusiast. Love the aromas here of currants, licorice, exotic fruit and berries. Complex. Full and silky, with gorgeous tannins. This is really long and reserved. Very close to 95-100. Score range: 92-94 -Wine Spectator
Deep ruby-red. Black- and redcurrant, smoke, minerals, graphite, cedar and mint on the nose, with a note of burning tobacco in the background. Suave in texture and fairly deep but with a slight edge of acidity to the kirsch and exotic spice flavors. This enters the mouth discreet, then expands toward the back and lingers with subtlety. 90-92 points -Stephen Tanzer
Deep ruby-hued with purple highlights, the lighter-styled 2005 Pichon-Lalande (reminiscent of Pinot Noir) is a racy, elegant, finesse-filled Pauillac without the power, flesh, and substance of previous vintages. Its delicacy and vibrancy have resulted in a singularly styled effort for this impeccably run estate. I would not be surprised to see the 2005 put on more weight after 4-5 years of bottle age; it should keep for two decades. -Robert Parker