2005 The Winemakers' Collection Haut Medoc Cuvee #1 Michel Rolland was purchased through First Bottle, a Napa based wine seller. This is a special collaboration between Jeremy Renard of Chateau d’Arsac in Margaux and Michel Rolland, the legendary winemaker. The Bordeaux is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. 
 
Wine Summary: 

The negociant firm of Bordeaux Millesimes decided to launch a wine with a cinematic approach, choosing one of the world’s great winemakers to focus on a single terroir, in this case the vineyard of Chateau d’Arsac in the southern Medoc, and produce 5,000 cases with no compromises. Everything is done at the discretion of the winemaker, from yields, the choice of fermenters, the type of barrels, the time in oak, and the manner in which the wine is bottled. The winemaker will change each year. Episode 1, which was released in 2007, was produced by Michel Rolland, whose serious image appears on the label. The winemaker for Episode 2 is the well-known University of Bordeaux professor, Denis Dubourdieu. The choice for Episode 3 was cult-wine producer, Andrea Franchetti. All winemakers utilize the same terroir, but will obviously be faced with vintage variations, yet have carte blanche to do whatever they want. Since these winemakers all possess brilliant resumes (and egos to match in some cases), this will be a serious competition among the creme de la creme.
 
Region:

Haut-Medoc AOC is in Bordeaux, north of the city of Bordeaux in the southwest portion of France. Known primarily for it’s Cabernet Sauvignon dominant Bordeaux blend (though Merlot dominant isn’t uncommon), it can produce some powerful, age-worthy wines. Within the Haut-Medoc AOC are some of the world’s most famous sub-appellations such as Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Margaux which house some of the best Chateaus in Bordeaux. When it is labeled simply “Haut-Medoc”, it means it can come from anywhere in the AOC, including any of the above sub-appellations. The Chateau D’Arsac, who provided the vineyards for the winemaker, is in Margaux, signaling a likely location for the vineyards. Over the last few decades, the average temperature has increased during the growing season, which leads to better-ripening and higher alcohol content in the wines, but is worrisome for some producers who believe that this could impact the balance of the wines.  
 
Wine Varietal: 63% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon. 
 
First Vintage: 2005
 
Country: France
 
Region: Bordeaux
 
Sub-Region: Haut-Medoc AOC
 
Tasting Notes:
 
93 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
This is the first release of a special project of Jeremy Renard and the proprietor of Chateau d’Arsac in Margaux. Under Renard's guidance, each year a single vineyard parcel from Chateau d’Arsac is completely controlled by a single, world-renowned winemaker. Michel Rolland launched the project, and he has been followed by other luminaries in the wine world. Rolland had the good fortune to benefit from an excellent vintage, and the result is a 5,000-case lot of sensational wine. The 2005 possesses a forward, voluptuous style, so it will have early appeal, but don't discount its potential to last 15-20 years. It offers a dense ruby/purple hue along with a smoky perfume of sweet cherries, blackberries, roasted coffee, and a hint of tobacco leaf. There is a seamless integration of acidity, tannin, and wood in this complete, full-bodied wine. The finish lasts for 35-40 seconds. This beauty can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20 years.