Chateau Montrose 2005

2005 impresses by its exceptional power, the amazing pure fruit, and the extraordinary engaging elegance without having the overwhelming charm of the 2003. Stylistically, very classical and very Bordeaux-like, without austerity.

Dense purple color, almost black. The nose is still closed: black fruits, spices, chocolate.  Complex palate, long, rich, powerful, cherry, cocoa, liquorice, tobacco brown, prune. This is a very big wine, full and very structured, with nice length, the tannins are very robust, with great aging potential.

Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3,5% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot

97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate      Tasted at the vertical in London, the 2005 Montrose came and delivered the goods. This was the best example of the 2005 that I have tasted, perhaps a wine that is going to prove that, the longer wine lovers can resist temptation. It is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc and .5% Petit Verdot picked between 23 September and 9 October. The bouquet is extremely detailed, displaying more red berry fruit compared to the 2010 Montrose that leans towards black. Graphite and cedar emerge with time, even an unusual floral scent that is uncommon with respect to this property, whilst all the time retaining fantastic focus and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a ferrous tincture on the entry. There are the first signs of secondary notes (dried leaves and bay leaf), but it is the tannic backbone and the precision that really defines this Montrose at the moment. For certain, it is masculine and structured, yet it has enormous potential, perhaps more than was suggested when it was first released? This is for the long term, but you know that already.

97 Points - Vinous    The 2005 Montrose is spectacular. Bright, perfumed and vertically explosive, the 2005 possesses remarkable energy right out of the gate. In 2005, Montrose doesn't quite have the heft that it can, but that actually works to its advantage. Readers will find a wine that marries elegance with power so well. Gravel, dried herb, lavender and mocha lend striking complexity to the dark fruit in this gorgeous, regal Montrose. If anything, the 2005 still needs more time in bottle! 

96 Points - James Suckling    This continues to be very tight yet I loved drinking it the other night at dinner. Loads of spices, berries, meat, cloves and chocolate on the nose. Full body with soft, silky tannins and lots of rich fruit. Still chewy. This is just starting to open up now. Drink or hold.

96 Points - Decanter    One of this century’s great vintages. The lush, pure dark Montrose fruit has opened up, showing spice and mineral notes. The tannins have become softer and silkier, but this is still very young, with the power and classical structure to last a long, long time.

96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck    The 2005 from Montrose is straight up sensational, and while young, it offers loads of pleasure today. Cassis, tobacco leaf, damp earth, graphite, and cedar characteristics flow to a full-bodied, thrilling concentrated 2005 that has ultra-fine tannin and a blockbuster finish. Its purity of fruit is off the charts, and while it’s just now starting to turn the corner and enter it plateau of drinkability, it’s going to keep for another 3-4 decades.

94 Points - Wine Spectator    Black licorice and blackberry aromas, with hints of mineral, lead to a full-bodied palate. Very chewy, with loads of tannins, yet this follows through with beautifully ripe fruit, mineral and mint. Fascinating. Best after 2012.

93 Points - Wine & Spirits    This is so big it is blinding, a storm of mineral tannin and plum-skin extract. The volume is turned up high, and even as the tannic noise factor begins to diminish with days of air, the wine is still closed tight. The comportment of its power shows this to be a wine from a great terroir; the property, in fact, has some parallels to Latour, with its similarly shaped gravel promontory above the Gironde. Montrose consistently grows one of the staunchest, long-lived wines of the Médoc and though accommodations have been made in recent years to soften it, the tannic index in February 2006 read at 82, a force to reckon with over the decades to come.