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Montrose 2000

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

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Label

Tasting Notes

Originally rated 96, this wine confirmed its early rating, although again, the backwardness and still very obvious tannins suggest another 7- to 8-year wait. Dense ruby/purple, with a bouquet of blueberry, crushed rock, and some floral notes, the wine is medium to full-bodied , rich, powerful, but again very tannic and still strikingly youthful. For a wine that is already 10 years of age, it remains infantile. This blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is indeed a special wine and should hit its prime in about 2020 and last at least 30 years afterward.

95+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (189), June 2010

I feel this vintage has been overshadowed by subsequent releases such as the 2005 and 2009, but do not ignore fantastic, quite structured but delicious millennial Clarets like this. This Montrose has just started drinking but will give another couple of decades pleasure.

94
Neal Martin, Hedonists Gazette, June 2017
92/94
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, January 2003

Mid crimson. Meaty and toasty on the nose but a mite restrained on the palate. Lots of iron filings. Needs lots of time. This sure is archetypal St-Estèphe! Very chewy still. Drink 2015 - 2035.

18
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2010
Read more tasting notes...

Tasted at the vertical in London, the question was whether the 2000 Montrose would be paradigmatic of a vintage whereby the wines have remained sullen and broody in their youth. On this occasion, to my surprise I found it more open than the 2005 (which admittedly is not saying that it's open for business!). It is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot picked from 22 September to 7 October. I afforded it a couple of hours in the glass and it responded with plenty of pure ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit, hints of cold slate and even charcoal emerging with time. The palate is not as complex as the aforementioned 2005, yet there is wonderful backbone and focus; towards the finish there is a sense of suppleness and refinement that might make this absolutely delicious in 5-7 years' time. Perhaps the 2000 has been usurped by subsequent releases in 2005, 2009 and 2010, but do not be surprised if it evolves into a regal Montrose. Tasted June 2016.

94+
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, March 2017

The 2000 Montrose is the finest effort produced since the compelling 1990 and 1989. Gigantically sized, its saturated inky purple colour is followed by a huge nose of crushed blackberries, creme de cassis, vanilla, hickory smoke, and minerals. Extremely full-bodied, powerful, dense, and chewy, this unreal Montrose should last for 30+ years. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2040

97
Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book (4), December 2003
96
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (146), April 2003
93/95
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (139), February 2002
93/95
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (134), April 2001
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.