Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

It is really no surprise that this 05 is incredible and yet still extremely youthful. This 05 will out live almost anyone 50 years old. It is good for another 45 years.

I had their 16 La Dame last weekend & commented it should not be opened for another 10 years.

The core on the nose is dark velvet black currants. There’s a bit of melted dark chocolate-mousse. Ripe but subtle blackberries, black raspberries, black plum-plum pudding, very dark cherries, some mulberries, mocha powder, dark, rich earth, dry river stone, limestone, anise, mix of dry/fresh herbs, fine, undertone of baking spices, moist grey clay, slightly dry tobacco, sandalwood, mild, elegant spice, just the slightest hint of mint, very, slightly candied, dark, withering flowers & red roses.

The palate is rich, round with velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark fruits blended in melted dark-mocha chocolate. Blackberries, black raspberries, both plums w/ heavy skin, dark cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries & raspberries over the top. Dry bay leaf-sage, moist clay, rich, dark, turned earth, dry river stone, limestone powder, stem inclusion, red licorice/cola, anise to black licorice candy, sandalwood to soft cedar, slightly moist tobacco, used leather, mild, dark spice, a touch & just a touch of tomato leaf, hints of cardamom, dark/red withering flowers with just a touch of violets, perfect acidity and a very well knitted, tensioned, balanced, structured, elegantly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on nice earthiness & softly muddled spice.

Paired w/ their bone-in Ribeye. Best steakhouse steak that I’ve had out and not made by friends and or myself. Rich fat, tender and nice flavor. Lacks a bit of char and Napa Valley Rub from wholespice.com.

Open in another 15-20 years.

A real shot at a 💯 in another 15-20+.

@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Nose is bright dark fruit and bright red florals. Dark core of black currents, blackberries, dark cheeries, strawberries, black raspberries, raspberries, light baking spices, melted, dark chocolate, baking soda, dry tea leaves, dry pebbles, black rich earth, stems, some mid berry licorice, almost candied dark flowers with red & pink roses.

The palate reveals the elegance of St. Julien straight away. It’s beautiful. Core of black currents, blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, black raspberries, raspberries, light baking spices, melted, dark chocolate, dark spices, clove, some cinnamon, vanillin, baking soda, dry tea leaves, dry pebbles, black rich earth, stems, moist tobacco, used leather, barrel shavings, mix of dry & moist clays, volcanic minerals, some mid berry cola/licorice, dark, almost candied dark flowers, red roses. Excellent acidity with beautiful elegance, well balanced, nicely tensioned/structured finish that lands on florals, ripe fruits and nicely resolved earth.

You can drink now with a good decant and will last 2+ decades. Better things lie ahead in 5-8 years. 92+ in time. — 8 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The second wine of Chateau Montrose. 91 but if I rounded up with more time in the glass, 92.

Nose not entirely expressive. Not a surprise as this Chateau makes wine for the ages. Nice soft fruits of, dark cherries, blackberries & strawberries. Sandstone, dry herbs, some light non distinct earth with bright red flowers, red roses framed in dark, dry flowers.

The palate is good but is begging to remain in bottle. Nice soft, ripe, fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries. Dark chocolate bar, some chocolate pudding, moist clay, dark spices w/ just a touch of heat, moist herbs-sage, sandalwood, dry tobacco, little in the way of baking spices-clove leading the way, mocha, very little caramel notes, dry top soil, river stone, withering to dry, dark, red flowers with liquid violets, beautiful acidity and a well knitted/made, balanced, nicely tensioned finish that lands on some fruit, clay & soft spice.

Very good value here but would not open one for another 10 years. — 8 days ago

Conrad Green

9.5

From mag. Gorgeous soft plum and red cherry. Floral notes, hints of iodine and violets. Excellent. In great shape. — 4 days ago

with BOT, Matt and 1 other

Alexandre Pagliano

9.0

Was a slightly off bottle with some issue with the cork. Still was a good drink. — a month ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2011 vintage. 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 11% Petit Verdot. This property was bought by the Bouygues brothers in 2006, the same year when they bought Montrose (up to first growth quality these days, and I gave the 2020 a perfect score). They made huge investments to increase the quality, and this 2011 is a very good effort in a much maligned vintage that remains in the shadow of the great 2010 and 2009 vintages. While the tannins have a slightly rough edge to them, it is balanced and satisfying, and a testimony to Bordeaux's ageing capacities, even in lesser vintages. An attractive food wine, and very good value too. Abv. 13%. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Beautiful noses that shows a dark core, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum skin and raspberries on the glass edges, dark, dryish earth, sandalwood, river stone, red flowers/roses, framed in bright, brilliant violets.

Beautiful fruit entry with dry, soft tannins. Dryish; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries and hints of raspberries. Dark, dry earth, sandalwood, river stone, dark spice, cedar, dry twigs, dry top soil, some dry herbs, dry clay, minimal baking spices, cigar with ash, dark flowers, red flowers/roses, framed in bright, brilliant violets. The acidity is gentle and nice. The finish is 19 elegant & pleasant, mid structured, smartly polished and lasts a full minute.

It has evolved some but still shows as primary. 91+ with some more appropriate cellaring. — 8 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2022 vintage. Even better than 7 months ago. The magic of the vintage is obvious here. Black and red fruits, flowers and a distinctive mineral note. Exemplary purity of fruit, fresh and refined,with the silkiest tannins ever for this estate. Long, mineral finish. A very impressive wine that sells for a song. Abv. 14%. — 19 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.2

Pretty big wine. Good tannin. A lot of cedar, tobacco, red berry, maybe some flowers, shaved dark chocolate, cherry compote. Will be interesting to see how it evolves. — 7 days ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Slightly medicinal notes. Dark fruit, leather, cedar, plum and bitter cherry. Soft and long. — 4 days ago

with BOT, Paul and 1 other