"A bit of a brute, with a very chewy bittersweet ganache, tobacco and roasted fig core splayed open right now by a dagger of roasted apple wood, allspice and cedar. Long and dense through the finish, with a strong singed iron edge. The stuffing is certainly there, but this will take a while to come together as it’s running unbridled right now. Proves you can still get classic old-school Bordeaux. Best from 2020 through 2040. (WS)
"A colossal effort, the 2009 Montrose represents a hypothetical blend of the monumental duo of 1989 and 1990 combined with the phenomenal 2003. With 13.7% alcohol (an all-time high at Montrose), it is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and the rest tiny quantities of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Some structure and minerality can be detected in the background, but the overall impression is one of massive blackberry, black currant and mulberry fruit intermixed with forest floor, damp earth, crushed rocks and a hint of spring flowers. Full-bodied with sweet but abundant tannin, Jean-Bernard Delmas believes this is the greatest wine he has made during his short tenure at Montrose since retiring from Haut-Brion. This wine will undoubtedly shut down for a decade, then unleash its power, glory and potential perfection. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2050+." (WA)
"(a blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 5% cabernet franc, and 1% petit verdot; pH 3.7; 98 IPT; 38 hl/ha; 13.7% alcohol; no press wine used) Opaque, almost impenetrable inky-ruby. The profound but initially reticent nose opens with air to reveal superb depth to the cassis, violet and mineral aromas. Then wonderfully dense yet weightless, with a penetrating quality to its black fruit and mineral flavors. The inky, minerally, very long finish features very smooth tannins. Currently less generous and showy than some other '09s, this is nonetheless a classic Bordeaux in style. With its mineral reticence and austerity, it is also very typical of Saint-Estephe." (IWC)
"A wine that feels big but not heavy. With a solid structure, the wine shows black density at the same time as the blackcurrant juice of Cabernet shines through." (WE)
"Montrose is dark purple. Aromatics of earth, rocks, cocoa and dark berries are easy to find. Full bodied and massive in concentration, with a wall of polished tannins, this structured wine finishes with a long, mouth filling expression of espresso beans and fresh picked dark berries. This could be the longest lived wine of the vintage. It will take decades to develop. This is the biggest wine from the Medoc in 2009." (JL)
"Blueberries, currants and Indian spices on the nose follow through to a full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a lovely finish. It's intense and refined. A beauty. It goes on for minutes. Speechless. Better and cleaner than the great 1990. Try in 2022." (JS) |
