Boasting a particularly youthful, deep purple hue and smelling of ripe black cherry backed by cherry pits and cinnamon spice, the 2005 Mercurey Les Vasees comes onto the palate with a palpable sense of stuffing, a silken texture, and lovely, layered subtleties of brown spice, meat and minerals. The finish is strong, displaying sweet fruit and a distinct chalkiness. It deserves 2-3 years in bottle before revisiting.