2010 Chateau Montrose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Estephe 1x750ml

Robert Parker 95

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. Chateau Montrose can be so curmudgeonly in its youth that in blind tastings, it can seem like appraising an ogre in a beauty contest. That’s what happened here, when it really threw me with its introspective pencil-box inspired nose that simply tells you to bugger off and not come back for at least a decade. The palate here is a mixture of red and black fruit with saturated tannins. This is a classic Montrose with a persistent tarry aftertaste. Re-tasting the wine after a few minutes it begins to unwind and merits a more lenient score. Tasted January 2014. [Neal Martin, 01/01/2014]

Vinous 94+

Bright, deep ruby-red. Superripe, deep aromas of black raspberry, cassis, plum, minerals, licorice and bitter chocolate. Densely packed, elegant and classically dry, with creamy depth of dark fruit and mineral flavors given definition and cut by terrific vinosity. This compellingly pure, extract-rich wine showed increasing energy as it opened in the glass. Finishes with big, dusty tannins and outstanding length and perfume. A great vintage for Montrose, in a modern style. Following the first couple vintages made under the direction of Jean Delmas, the ’09 and ’10 have shown considerably more stuffing. I would not be at all surprised if my score proved to be overly conservative. [Stephen Tanzer, 01/07/2013]