| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Montrose
The 1996 Montrose is composed of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. This was not a particularly cool vintage, but it was late. There was rain at the beginning of September, so the Chateaux that decided to wait and harvest late made very good wines. The harvest dates at Montrose were 23 September to 6 October. Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, it erupts from the glass with a powerful perfume of redcurrant jelly, blackcurrant pastilles, and kirsch, followed by hints of cast-iron pan, dried sage, and pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is taut with muscular fruit and a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic length and lots of mineral sparks.
Tasted at the property, the 1996 Montrose is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 23 September and 6 October. It was served alongside the 1986 Montrose, but for me, this is a far better wine and reconfirms Robert Parker's remarks at his own vertical at the property in 2014. For me, it is that loamy character that defines the nose, freshly tilled, damp soil that tinctures the black fruit that takes you straight to this particular château. This is classic through and through and very well defined. The palate is wonderful with very fine delineation, pitch perfect acidity, touches of graphite infusing the red and black fruit that dovetails into a very pretty, floral finish. This is clearly one of the great wines of the 1996 vintage and I would be stocking up as much as I can because it will give 30-40 years of pleasure. Tasted July 2016.
This was a very strong year for the Medoc, as opposed to Graves and the Right Bank. The vintage has a very irregular reputation, but not so much for the Cabernet Sauvignon grape in the Medoc. Harvest occurred September 23 and finished October 6, a relatively short period, even at a large estate such as Montrose. The wine has sweeter tannins than the 1995, but doesn't have quite the ripeness noticeable in 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2010. This wine is the classic, or more traditional style of Montrose, with dusty loamy soil notes intermixed with blackcurrant and blackberry fruit. Licorice, underbrush and floral notes were all present in this wine, which has good acidity and is not far from entering its plateau of full maturity. This was a year where Montrose used a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend - 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
Not much nose and very dry tannins. Tannins very much in evidence now. A bit brutal and bloody.
The 1996 Montrose reveals outstanding potential. It boasts a saturated dark ruby/purple color, and aromas of new oak, jammy black currants, smoke, minerals, and new saddle leather. This multi-layered wine is rich and medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannin, a nicely-textured, concentrated mid-palate, and an impressively long finish. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2025.
This classic Montrose's opaque purple/black color is impressive. The wine possesses exceptionally rich, overripe plum and cassis fruit intermingled with smoke, minerals, and spice. Only 59% of the harvest was included in this blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc.
The wine's unctuous texture makes one think there is more Merlot in the blend, but mits success is due to the superripe Cabernet Sauvignon. The 1996 is sweet (from ripeness, not sugar) and medium to full-bodied, with a well delineated personality. No doubt there is significant tannin lurking in the background, but much of it is concealed by the wine's hefty extract, glycerin, and fruit levels.
First tasted in October 2000: deep ruby colour. A complex nose with fleshy, meaty fruits. Super-ripe. Firm and typically austere now. Quite chewy with spice and choc notes. Still immature - this will be a classic Montrose. A great wine for those who really love classic Bordeaux. Tasted again in October 2003 - this is developing along the lines of the classic 1989. A rich chocolaty nose mixed with roasted herbs. The palate is decadent, well-knit tannins that do not obtrude like so many other 1996's. Rich, supple and rounded with complex black fruits, cigar-box and espresso coffee. Very long. This is a wonderful Montrose.
A deep dark core and a classic St Estephe nose of firm blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with compact earth and evident power. The palate shows plenty of brawn and a touch of farmyard character allied to an abundance of ripe dark fruits to soften the attack. It finishes with minerals, a good cut of acidity, and a burst of dark cherry and berry fruits. This is opening out nicely and at 10 years of age shows great potential for the near future.
