2006 Chateau Montrose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Estephe 1x750ml

Robert Parker 86

Tasted at Bordeaux Index’s annual 10-Year On tasting in London. The 2006 Chateau Montrose is a difficult wine on which to get a handle. It seems very distant and for want of a better word, unlovable on the nose, which lacks the usual depth and conviction. Lightweight? The palate is medium-bodied with rustic, rather dry tannin, mealy in the mouth and surprisingly loose-knit towards the finish. This is a disappointing Saint Estephe for the vintage – a Montrose that just never seemed to hear the starting gun. Can’t win ’em all the time. Tasted January 2016. [Neal Martin, 28/09/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2016-2020

Vinous 89+

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. [Stephen Tanzer, 05/01/2009]