| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Montrose
The first vintage under new owner Martin Bouygues,who convinced Jean-Bernard Delmas to come out of retirement to produce this wine, the 2006 Montrose is an undeniable success. A blend of approximately two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one-third Merlot, and a tiny dollop of Petit Verdot, the most dramatic difference between the 2006, and wines made by the previous administration is that Jean Delmas produces wines with sweeter, silkier tannins, although analytically, they are as high as those found in the great Montrose vintages of the past. The 2006 is extraordinarily elegant and finesse-styled, but it exhibits stunningly concentrated, sweet blackberry and cassis fruit with hints of flowers and minerals. Full-bodied with a savory, expansive mid-palate as well as sweet, noble tannins, this beauty will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 20-25+ years.
Tasted at the château and at a negotiant with consistent notes. The nose is definitely lacking vigour and is woefully muffled. Chewy tannins, lacking the usual sophistication and delineation, harsh, furry tannins. A slight metallic element on the mid-palate, rather directionless. Hard, tannic finish. I just do not understand what is happening in this wine. Tasted April 2007.
Starts off silky and refined. Medium- to full-bodied, with a fine finish, but needs a little more on the midpalate. Attractive spice and currant character.
Jean-Bernard Delmas has instituted a green harvest in the vineyards to get riper fruit and less rustic tannins. yields were lower than average at 41 hl/ha. and in the winery, more gentle handling by using remontage (pumping over) and not délestage (rack and return). 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% merlot. 60% new oak.
Very dark crimson. Not that much nose but great sweetness on the palate. Then and only then the dryness of Saint-Estèphe. Not sure there is quite the focus of montrose in its best vintages in the 21st century but presumably the team, under Jean-Bernard Delmas’ direction, will get there. a little moue and soft for montrose. Slightly inky on the finish. Not quite the weight required for this amount of dryness. I feel. surely an interim vintage. ipt 80. there is freshness and vivacity. Energy.
Good medium ruby. Expressive nose offers blackcurrant, plum, licorice, roasted herbs, smoke and minerals. Supple and refined, with lovely perfume and restrained sweetness. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins that coat the front teeth and turn a bit dry with aeration. Needs aging, but does not appear to possess the concentration or power of the best vintages here.
This is the first vintage produced under the full control of Jean-Bernard Delmas, the person responsible for so many of the great Haut-Brions between 1961 and 2003. Yields were kept low (41 hectoliters per hectare), and for the first time, the entire vineyard was crop-thinned. About 60% of the production made it into the final blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot and Petit Verdot. The deep ruby/purple-hued 2006 possesses classic aromas of creamy blackberries, cassis, flowers, and crushed rocks. It is medium-bodied with a multilayered texture, sweeter, more finely tuned tannin than past vintages, and a powerful finish. There has been no compromise to the wine’s massive richness and density, but rather an emphasis on taming some of the huge tannins Montrose produces. It is an outstanding, fresh, lively effort that appears to be a brilliant achievement for the vintage. The tannin level ranks alongside such great Montrose vintages as 2005, 1990, and 1989, but they are noticeably sweeter. It should age handsomely for 30 or more years.
Good deep red. Aromas of black cherry, licorice, mint and fresh herbs. Round and sweet, with attractive sweetness but a light herbal character. Finishes with fine, dusty tannins and good length. Suave in style but misses the thrust of the best northern Medoc wines in 2006.
