Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This was a check-in to see how ready my 2000 Montrose’s are doing. A good check.

This is absolutely a close relative of the 2nd Growth Montrose. The thing that experience has taught me is, Montrose is a long in the tooth producer. As well, the 2000 Bordeaux vintage mimics that completely.

I would say the 2000 Montrose is finally ready with a longish decant.

This is completely classic Bordeaux and Saint-Estèphe.

The nose shows ripe, lush, nearly candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, back/stewed dark cherries, strawberries & raspberry hues. Both dark & milk chocolate to pudding, dry twig/soils, dark rich soils, dry river stone, dark & mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, softly layered baking spices, limestone/sandstone, black tea, used leather & tobacco, black olive tapenade, light cedar, semi-used charcoal, dark, red fresh & slightly withering flowers.

The palate shows nicely resolved M+ rounded, tarry tannins. It has freshness and bright fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, back/stewed dark cherries, strawberries & raspberry hues. Both dark & milk chocolate to pudding, dry twig/soils, dark rich soils, dry river stone, dark spice w/ palate heat, dark & mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, softly layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & very light vanillin, limestone/sandstone, moist clay, crushed dry rocks, grey volcanics, black tea, used leather & tobacco, black olive tapenade, light cedar, dark, red fresh & slightly withering flowers, beautiful acidity, it is nicely toned, good structure/tension with a well balanced, elegant & polish finish for days that lasts two-minutes and lands on dry earth & spice.

91-92.

Still has 5-10 yr of life ahead depending on your storage. — 3 days ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.3

Seriously delicious 2nd label from Angelus — 2 years ago

John Van Trijp

10

2nd Edition In optima forma. 40-45 Years old with a very active mousse.. what a Privilege to drink!! ❤️ — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Medium to dark Ruby in colour. Red and black fruits, cassis, some sweatiness on the nose, cedar, sage and a touch of pipe tobacco. Terrific fruit considering that 2007 was a lesser vintage ie. 6/10. 64% Cabernet, 30% Merlot (quite high for the left bank), 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. In summary a good 2nd Growth for the vintage. One of the 1001 wines. — 4 years ago

Steve S

9.0

Bordeaux 2nd wines event — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Gorgeous earthy perfume, Forest Floor - could be Burgundian. A Tawny edge to the colour. My 2nd favourite Aussie Pinot after the Bass Phillip Reserve. Savoury cherry nuances on the palate but overall more savoury than fruit driven. Light to medium bodied. Very fine Tannins with natural acid still present. I expected more mid palate fruit for what Phillip Jones described as “one of our best vintages” to that point. They have had better ones since IMO. I would not normally taste a BP Premium under 10 years (this being the first of 4) but having tasted this I wish I had had one say four years ago. In the category of wines I buy every vintage - like the Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay. — 8 years ago

Tom Garland

9.2

2nd vintage from the Kronos vineyard

Decant and pour(lots of sediment). A medium tawny red color. On the nose: very expressive port like sweet notes with dried cherry, stewed meat, eucalyptus, cedar, herbs. Taste: silky, still fresh for its age, amazing acid wine with sour cherry, loamy soil, licorice and a peppery espresso medium plus finish. YUM! Sure, on the downside, but holds it own tonight. — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

In Roman times, the estate belonged to a family called Figeacus, main villa stood on the site of the present château. Traces of the original pipework remain. A nice blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot & Cab Franc with berry fruit aromas, cigar box spice and floral notes. This 2nd wine shows flavors of blackberry and cherry with tobacco spice & oak on soft fine tannins. Full-bodied, long finish ending with fruit and earthy mineral. Need short term cellaring. — 2 years ago

Pooneet K

9.3

Really a wonderful St J and a crazy value as a 2nd wine. Lovely pairing with roast rack of lamb with garlic / rosemary / mustard. In a good window but could take more time honestly. Wonderful acid, quite deep fruit, long finish, tannins still very there, delicious. — 2 years ago

Jaq Sebastian

9.3

A must try if you like rich, generous and concentrated flavour, with a hint of smooth sweet dark berry and luscious oak. Intense. — 4 years ago

Justin

9.2

$54.98 & Total Wine. 2nd Growth. A bit sweet. Medium bodied. Needs more age, will be great. — 6 years ago

Justin Hart

9.3

Yum! It is hard to believe how good this “bargain” wine is ($25 retail, less for wine club or when on sale too). Juicy red plum, strawberry and a hint of ruby red grapefruit dominate the initial palette, with delicate coco powder mouth feel and subtle espresso notes. — 7 years ago

with Cherish and Jen

Chris England

9.4

Second wine of Palmer in a top year @ £45, now £70+ & still has 10 yrs life in it easily 👍 Excellent value from a top Chateau & one of my favourite 2nd wines showing great elegance 😎

📍 Chateau Palmer Alter Ego Margaux 2009

🏵 94 points

🍇 52% Merlot & 48% Cabernet Sauvignon

🍷Deep opaque ruby red

👃 Juicy plump blackcurrant & dark plum through soft smokey oak, mocha, cracked mineral rock, soggy earth & leather w/ lead & liquorish

👄 Med rich body of ripe blackcurrant & dark plum w/ earthy mocha, red berry liquorice & a touch dry mineral in fine slight dry tannins & minerals

🎯 Med+ mocha blackcurrant & red liquorice slight dry finale which lingers raspberry & blackcurrant mocha — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

After pressing dried grapes from making Amarone, Valpolicella wine is passed over the still warm skins of Amarone for 2nd alcoholic fermentation, increasing the alcoholic content, aromas and color. Blend of 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta. Deep Ruby with aromas of sweet dried berry fruits and pepper spice. On the palate ripe blackberry, currants and sweet cherry with complex spice. Well balanced with acidity and alcohol, full-body with soft tannins on long finish. Nice value. — 7 months ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.2

Beautiful perfume with dark and smoky black fruit, currants, violets, herbs, Asian spice, cedar, some coffee tones and a faint of wet stone on the palate. An excellent 2nd wine that delivers after 10 years. — 9 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See several previous Delectable notes on this wine and vintage. A pale crimson colour with tawny garnet shades. Aromatics of red fruits (strawberry) and Sous Bois on the nose. It may be pale in colour but carries a Medium plus palate intensity of good length. A very good 2nd wine from Bell Hill from the Canterbury district (just to the north of Christchurch) which deserves more recognition as a source of high quality Pinot Noir. Also referred to as the Waipara District. — 2 years ago

Patrick Hu

9.4

2nd birthday wine - outstanding! Love the wet stones/graphite. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous notes on 2 tasting occasions. Coincidentally all at Paros on the Beach Apartments - all 3 tastings. One of my favourite 2nd wines in Australia. Often associated with white pepper, this exhibits more plum and spice. A very good wine and great QPR. — 5 years ago

Jack Petras

9.8

Fortunate enough to have tasted this along with 6 other stunning wines last night during a cellar tasting. This 36 year old 2nd growth was nearly perfect, unusual but very pleasant mint, camphor, crushed sage and rosemary aromas with the same cooling delicate herbal initial palate. Dried but expressive red fruits mid- palate with a great structural graphite element throughout. Whiff of new leather. Changed in the glass showing different mellow facets. Pretty much intercepted at the exact right time. A real privilege to taste such a renowned vintage with folks who appreciates what was in front of them. — 8 years ago

Mark S.

9.1

Good aroma and even concentrated compared with 2012, from the beginning. Blackberry, licorice. Enough acidity, still need a decanting time. 2nd day, I found ink flavor. 4th day, much better in concentration and ink flavor. 2010 @2500, wine plus - XH , 180908-190330 — 8 years ago