This is an example of why to buy and cellar "lesser" wines in great vintages.  This is certainly improved since the last time I had it in 2010.  Right now it seems to be at peak.  It probably should be consumed in the next couple of years but should last longer.  Purple in color, with ruby swirls.  The wine took about 20 minutes to shed some bottle stink and then kept opening for the next hour at which point is plateaued until the bottle was emptied.  The nose is great with boysenberries, raspberries, roasted meat, spice and slight floral notes.  With air a bit of roasted herbs as well.  On the palate, this is medium to full bodied.  Not hugely complex but certainly some layering of boysenberry fruit, earthiness and roasted herbs.  Good balance.  Food friendly.  Long finish.  Maybe it was just me and seeing the label, but this did not taste like a "poor man's Chateauneuf".  It tasted like a very good Gigondas.   Quite a pleasure for $20 back in the day.  

Grade: 
A-
Score: 
91
Vintage: 
2005