Tasting notes

2009:  A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, representing 72% of production.  Fine and somewhat brooding aromas, laden with black fruits and minerals.  On the palate the wine has impressive density and texture, with plenty of tannins, although they’re very fine and well-integrated, providing a background to the finish rather than dominating.  Lots of fresh, crunchy acidity make this a well-balanced wine true to Montrose’ terroir and historical style, albeit with the richness and freshness of the vintage.  An excellent wine for ageing.  93-96 points, drink 2020-2040.  (April 2010).

2007:  A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot

5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, aged in 60% new oak.  Quite reticent aromas, showing blackcurrant, plum and almost black pepper spice.  Quite rich, yet pure and classic flavour on the palate, with fine, persistent tannic structure, very good complexity and a lengthy finish.  Not a blockbuster style - quite refined and polished for Montrose.  Similar breed to the 2004, although slightly plusher.  91-93 points, drink 2013-2022.  (April 2008).

2005:  A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% Petit Verdot.  Pretty yet obviously powerful aromas of black cherry, minerals, plum and earthy notes.  Loads of powerful yet quite fine tannin.  Very complex, with very good length, there is lovely refreshing acidity to balance the powerful tannins.  Excellent ripeness, yet very much a vin de garde, this most impressive style will require many years to show its full potential.  Attractive spice and nutmeg on the aftertaste.  95-97 points.  Drink 2020-2050.  (May 2006).  From bottle, the wine is remarkably similar to the barrel sample, showing wonderful integration between the ripe, fine and slightly exotic fruit and the fine yet very powerful tannins.  The spice on the finish remains from the barrel sample!  Long and very complex finish, it’s slightly shut-down at the moment, but should be extremely long-lived.  97 points, drink 2020-2050.  (February 2009).

2004:  A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.  Quite open mulberry, cedar and plum aromas.  Plenty of fine-yet-firm tannin on the palate, along with very attractive smoky/herbal and tobacco flavours, as well as more dark berries.  Really elegant in fruit style, yet with loads of tannin, this wine needs several years to shed some tannins.  93 points, drink 2014-2030.  May 2006.  Two years later (November 2008) the wine certainly shows its heritage of style, firm, slightly herbal aromas, but conversely ripe plum and tobacco aromas.  On the palate the wine has firm tannins, which although fine are certainly dominating the fruit just at the moment - this will pass though, be patient!  Long and quite complex finish, it just doesn’t seem to be showing all it’s potential at the moment.  92 points, drink 2015-2025.

2003:  I’ve been lucky enough to have this wine three times, and it is certainly a modern-day classic.  Whilst huge, powerful and ripe, it doesn’t actually show the heat or drought of the vintage, which is most impressive.  In November 2006 the wine had wonderful exotic and ripe aromas of spice, tobacco, loads of dark berry fruits on the palate, with most impressive complexity and depth, not to mention texture, on the long, powerful finish.  98 points.  Similar in September 2007, the tannins had started to assert themselves slightly more and the sweetness of fruit had faded slightly - 96 points.  Finally, in February 2009, the wine has started to broaden, showing very powerful and rich fruit on an expansive palate.  There is still loads of tannins, but they seem to be fining and integrating slightly, although remain a long way from resolving.  This is a very plush, exotic, glugable wine that is perhaps not classic or expected, it is certainly a delicious, complex and long-lived wine.  97 points.

2001:  Quite dense and powerful, with ripe and rich fruit that is somewhat disjointed by the firm, backward, unresolved and generally dominating tannic structure.  Has good potential - could evolve superbly if the fruit can outlast the tannins, but I am unconvinced if it will.  91 points.  Drink from 2011 to 2022.  April 2004.

1995:  Surprisingly drinkable for a wine with such a formidable reputation for being tannic and long-term.  Ripe, sweet exotic flavours, complex and quite delicious, this is a wonderful wine that may not scale the greatest heights, but is more than satisfying.  94 points (July 2001).

1990: Reticent, stinky, barnyardy aromas, though very powerful and perversely attractive.  Very firm, extremely powerful on the palate, minerals, sweet/stewy fruits and a hint of leather flavour.  Long, fine tannins, mouthfilling finish.  Wow!  Lovely wine.  97 points (October 2004).

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