Dame de Montrose 2008

008 La Dame de Montrose: More classic with noticeable tannins and higher acidity, this medium-bodied, elegant effort offers notes of earthy, loamy soil intermixed with black and red currant fruit. Drink this medium-bodied 2008 over the next 7-8 years.

Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. The La Dame de Montrose has an attractive nose: broody dark fruit, undergrowth, graphite with good definition, though it will need time to open up. The palate is medium-bodied with a bitter edge to the tannins, but there is good fruit intensity and very clean, slightly leafy finish. Tasted January 2012.

The second wine is the sexy, sensual La Dame de Montrose. The 2008, which represents 28% of the estate's production, is a blend of 56% Merlot and 44% Cabernet Sauvignon. With a deep ruby/purple color, sweet tannins, seemingly low acidity, and lush, concentrated flavors, it should be a crowd-pleasing head-turner for at least 10-15 years.