Full ruby-red. Deep aromas of smoky black cherry, black olive, minerals, cedar and game; I was reminded of a Montecristo No. 2. This really presents the full range of young Montrose aromas. Dense, sweet and layered; really reverberates on the palate. Very ripe on the aftertaste; subtle, complex flavors go on and on. The tannins are in perfect harmony.
Drinking Window: 0000 - 0000
Reviewer Name: Stephen Tanzer
ExternalLink: www.vinous.com
External Id: Vinous Tasting Notes
Tasted at the vertical in London, I have instead used the tasting note from a bottle opened at the property when I visited just a couple of weeks later. The 1996 Montrose is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 23 September and 6 October. It was served alongside the 1986 Montrose, however, this is a far better wine and reconfirms Robert Parker's remarks at his own vertical at the property in 2014. For me, it is that loamy character that defines the nose—freshly tilled, damp soil that tinctures the black fruit —that takes you straight to this particular château. This is classic through and through and very well defined. The palate is wonderful with very fine delineation, pitch-perfect acidity, touches of graphite infusing the red and black fruit that dovetails into a very pretty, floral finish. This is clearly one of the great wines of the 1996 vintage and I would be stocking up as much as I could, because it will give 30-40 years of pleasure. Tasted July 2016.
Drinking Window: 2018 - 2055
Reviewer Name: Neal Martin
ExternalLink: www.robertparker.com
External Id: https://www.robertparker.com/articles/L7Yc2taHN2Pfoa4ac
Montrose produced a fine wine in 2005 and this wine will continue to improve. Quite strong, very fine tannins with notes of blackcurrant, black cherry, earth, graphite and spice.
Château Montrose is a winery in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. The wine produced here was classified as one of fourteen Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growths) in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.
Château Montrose is a winery in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. The wine produced here was classified as one of fourteen Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growths) in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.
Instead, a heavy clay and limestone base dominates this area, resulting in poorer-draining soils, delayed ripening, and higher acidity levels in the wines.
These factors mean that, over the last few decades, many Saint-Estèphe's winemakers have increased their emphasis on Merlot, as it performs better on clay-rich soils than Cabernet Sauvignon. Because wines from here have traditionally been rather austere and tight in youth, Merlot also serves to soften the texture. Clay soils ability to retain moisture can come in handy during the occasional drought-like summers that have been known to bring a Bordeaux vintage to its knees. Other grapes permitted are Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Côt (Malbec) and Petit Verdot.