Montrose 2006

St Estephe, Second Growth

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Tasting Notes
This has good intensity on the nose: black dusty fruit, cedar, charcoal and scorched earth all with commendable definition. Medium-bodied palate, grippy tannins that are a little coarse, but the balanced is here, well-integrated new oak, a little austere but fanning out towards the briary finish with blackberry, tar and cedar. This Montrose deserves another 8-10 years in bottle and I suspect that by then it will deserve another couple of points. Score: 92 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 July 2010
Tasted at the château and at a negotiant with consistent notes. The nose is definitely lacking vigour and is woefully muffled. Chewy tannins, lacking the usual sophistication and delineation, harsh, furry tannins. A slight metallic element on the mid-palate, rather directionless. Hard, tannic finish. I just do not understand what is happening in this wine. Tasted April 2007. Score: 84 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2007
The first vintage under new owner Martin Bouygues,who convinced Jean-Bernard Delmas to come out of retirement to produce this wine, the 2006 Montrose is an undeniable success. A blend of approximately two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one-third Merlot, and a tiny dollop of Petit Verdot, the most dramatic difference between the 2006, and wines made by the previous administration is that Jean Delmas produces wines with sweeter, silkier tannins, although analytically, they are as high as those found in the great Montrose vintages of the past. The 2006 is extraordinarily elegant and finesse-styled, but it exhibits stunningly concentrated, sweet blackberry and cassis fruit with hints of flowers and minerals. Full-bodied with a savory, expansive mid-palate as well as sweet, noble tannins, this beauty will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 20-25+ years. (94+ points) Score: 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2037 01 February 2009
This is the first vintage produced under the full control of Jean-Bernard Delmas, the person responsible for so many of the great Haut-Brions between 1961 and 2003. Yields were kept low (41 hectoliters per hectare), and for the first time, the entire vineyard was crop-thinned. About 60% of the production made it into the final blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot and Petit Verdot. The deep ruby/purple-hued 2006 possesses classic aromas of creamy blackberries, cassis, flowers, and crushed rocks. It is medium-bodied with a multilayered texture, sweeter, more finely tuned tannin than past vintages, and a powerful finish. There has been no compromise to the wine’s massive richness and density, but rather an emphasis on taming some of the huge tannins Montrose produces. It is an outstanding, fresh, lively effort that appears to be a brilliant achievement for the vintage. The tannin level ranks alongside such great Montrose vintages as 2005, 1990, and 1989, but they are noticeably sweeter. It should age handsomely for 30 or more years. Score: 92 - 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2037 30 April 2007
Very dark crimson. Not that much nose but great sweetness on the palate. Then and only then the dryness of Saint-Estèphe. Not sure there is quite the focus of Montrose in its best vintages in the 21st century but presumably the team, under Jean-Bernard Delmas’ direction, will get there. A little moue and soft for Montrose. Slightly inky on the finish. Not quite the weight required for this amount of dryness. I feel. Surely an interim vintage.There is freshness and vivacity. Energy. Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2026 01 April 2007
Now under new ownership, 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot with modern techniques employed to achieve best possible maturity in the vineyard (green harvesting throughout the estate leaving only 3 bunches per vine). The Chateau say that quality here exceeds the 2004 vintage (RP 90-92). Deep crimson. The nose is a little muted but eventually gives up subtle aromas of currant, leaves, wet soil and mineral. On the palate there is moderate weight on entry with strongly Cabernet fruit character and roasted notes but it seems to lack a bit of stuffing on the back end. The tannins are big but well-managed and there is good freshness. Score: 89 - 92 Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2007
Starts off silky and refined. Medium- to full-bodied, with a fine finish, but needs a little more on the midpalate. Attractive spice and currant character. Score: 89 - 91 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2007

Tasting Notes

This has good intensity on the nose: black dusty fruit, cedar, charcoal and scorched earth all with commendable definition. Medium-bodied palate, grippy tannins that are a little coarse, but the balanced is here, well-integrated new oak, a little austere but fanning out towards the briary finish with blackberry, tar and cedar. This Montrose deserves another 8-10 years in bottle and I suspect that by then it will deserve another couple of points.

Score: 92

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 July 2010

Tasted at the château and at a negotiant with consistent notes. The nose is definitely lacking vigour and is woefully muffled. Chewy tannins, lacking the usual sophistication and delineation, harsh, furry tannins. A slight metallic element on the mid-palate, rather directionless. Hard, tannic finish. I just do not understand what is happening in this wine. Tasted April 2007.

Score: 84

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2007

The first vintage under new owner Martin Bouygues,who convinced Jean-Bernard Delmas to come out of retirement to produce this wine, the 2006 Montrose is an undeniable success. A blend of approximately two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one-third Merlot, and a tiny dollop of Petit Verdot, the most dramatic difference between the 2006, and wines made by the previous administration is that Jean Delmas produces wines with sweeter, silkier tannins, although analytically, they are as high as those found in the great Montrose vintages of the past. The 2006 is extraordinarily elegant and finesse-styled, but it exhibits stunningly concentrated, sweet blackberry and cassis fruit with hints of flowers and minerals. Full-bodied with a savory, expansive mid-palate as well as sweet, noble tannins, this beauty will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 20-25+ years. (94+ points)

Score: 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2037 01 February 2009

This is the first vintage produced under the full control of Jean-Bernard Delmas, the person responsible for so many of the great Haut-Brions between 1961 and 2003. Yields were kept low (41 hectoliters per hectare), and for the first time, the entire vineyard was crop-thinned. About 60% of the production made it into the final blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot and Petit Verdot. The deep ruby/purple-hued 2006 possesses classic aromas of creamy blackberries, cassis, flowers, and crushed rocks. It is medium-bodied with a multilayered texture, sweeter, more finely tuned tannin than past vintages, and a powerful finish. There has been no compromise to the wine’s massive richness and density, but rather an emphasis on taming some of the huge tannins Montrose produces. It is an outstanding, fresh, lively effort that appears to be a brilliant achievement for the vintage. The tannin level ranks alongside such great Montrose vintages as 2005, 1990, and 1989, but they are noticeably sweeter. It should age handsomely for 30 or more years.

Score: 92 - 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2037 30 April 2007

Very dark crimson. Not that much nose but great sweetness on the palate. Then and only then the dryness of Saint-Estèphe. Not sure there is quite the focus of Montrose in its best vintages in the 21st century but presumably the team, under Jean-Bernard Delmas’ direction, will get there. A little moue and soft for Montrose. Slightly inky on the finish. Not quite the weight required for this amount of dryness. I feel. Surely an interim vintage.There is freshness and vivacity. Energy.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2026 01 April 2007

Now under new ownership, 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot with modern techniques employed to achieve best possible maturity in the vineyard (green harvesting throughout the estate leaving only 3 bunches per vine). The Chateau say that quality here exceeds the 2004 vintage (RP 90-92). Deep crimson. The nose is a little muted but eventually gives up subtle aromas of currant, leaves, wet soil and mineral. On the palate there is moderate weight on entry with strongly Cabernet fruit character and roasted notes but it seems to lack a bit of stuffing on the back end. The tannins are big but well-managed and there is good freshness.

Score: 89 - 92

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2007

Starts off silky and refined. Medium- to full-bodied, with a fine finish, but needs a little more on the midpalate. Attractive spice and currant character.

Score: 89 - 91

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2007

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