Montrose 2004

An impressive effort for the vintage, the 2004 Montrose possesses a deep ruby/purple-tinged color as well as a sweet nose of black fruits intermixed with notions of smoke, cold steel, earth, and subtle background wood. With excellent texture, a sweet ripeness, medium to full body, and moderate tannin, it should drink well for 15+ years. Also tasted: 2004 La Dame de Montrose (88)

Tasted at the château, the 2004 Montrose is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 24 September and 15 October. It has a foursquare but precise bouquet that unfolds in the glass to offer brambly red berry fruit, tar, undergrowth and cedar aromas. There is a touch of mint that emerges with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with tannins that gently grip. It is more savory than other vintages: hints of bacon fat and bell pepper towards the harmonious finish that lingers nicely in the mouth. Probably earlier drinking that other vintages, yet this Montrose has personality and will give drinking pleasure for 15-20 years. Tasted September 2016.

Wonderful aromas of spices, berries and lightly tasted oak. Medium- to full-bodied, with very fine tannins and a lovely finish. All in finesse. A mini-1996

A very worthy follow-up to the famous 2003 even if the style is different - excellent winemaking here at the moment. Blackish crimson and very little nose at first. Lots of sweet fruit on the front palate, then fine tannins. Sandy, not aggressive tannins. Another very gentle, round wine but with obviously more concentration and reticence than the Dame de Montrose. Relatively advanced. Neat well-mannered - quite a statement in the context of many relatively aggressive wines. Elegant and 'just' 12.8% alcohol. You certainly wouldn't come across this sort of wine anywhere but Bordeaux. Relatively light at the moment but the winemaker is convinced it will put on flesh later, like the 1996s.