James Molesworth of the Wine Spectator travelled around Bordeaux tasting the 2010 Futures this past March.  As we all know, the hype was significant (again) and much of the talk was how the 2009s and 2010s compare to each other.  But at many of his stops, he was asked if the 2005 vintage is now a "forgotten vintage".  He wanted to know how 2005 measures up against the two most recent legendary vintages.  Most of the answers were frank and complimentary.

Personally, I like what Christian Seeley (who is responsible for the Bordeaux estates of Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Pibran, Petit-Village and Suduiraut) did: 

JM: "Suddenly, '05 seems to have become a forgotten vintage. Does it measure up to '09 and '10?"

CS: "How about we taste it?"

"(Smiling, Seely retrieved a bottle of 2005 Pichon-Baron. The wine shows lots of smoked plum, prune, cocoa and tobacco notes, with whiffs of cedar and mesquite and lots of mulled black currant fruit. Plenty of grip still, with a dash of mint on the finish. Tight, but not totally shut down. 95 points, non-blind.)"

CS: "It started opening up about a year ago and is starting to flower-and will for a long time to come. The '05 has a different personality. It's always been marked by its power and structure, but it's clearly on the same level as '09 and '10." (Excerpt from Wine Spectator)

While trying to decide on a wine to have for my birthday dinner the other night, I remembered the article from above and knew I had to try a bottle of 2005 La Confession (95 RP).  Well since I haven't had the 2009s or 2010s yet, all I can say is that they better be great because this 2005 sure was!  This beauty from St. Emilion is 48% Cabernet Franc, and I LOVE Cab Franc.  It was beautiful on the nose with a blackberry bramble note and a hint of bell pepper that only Cab Franc can deliver.  In the mouth it was weighty and dense, but very pure and clean with black cherry juiciness and a nice soft finish.  It was perfect with the filet of beef I was having as a little birthday treat. 

Get your hands on some 2005s as they are just as good as the 9s and 10s and probably less expensive.