critic reviews
There was rain in September this year, and then a lot more rain in October. Veraison was late and uneven, resulting in a late harvest from 29 September to 15 October. "We had to wait until October for the Cabernet Sauvignon to reach good phenolic maturity." The 2008 Montrose is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, and is deep garnet in color with a touch of brick at the rim. After a swirl or two, a classic nose of creme de cassis and cigar box emerges, fanning out to offer notes of dried roses, incense, star anise, and pencil shavings. The medium-bodied palate has a sturdy structure of chewy tannins and plenty of freshness to support the maturing black fruit and mineral layers, finishing on a ferrous note.
The 2008 Montrose has a lifted perfumed bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, iris and limestone scents, nicely defined and opening with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm backbone, layers of cedar-tinged black fruit, spicebox and white pepper, leading to a persistent, structured finish that probably needs another year or two to soft. Impressive. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' annual 10-Year On tasting.)