Montrose 2007

One of the stars of the vintage, the 2007 Montrose boasts a deep blue/purple color as well as a sweet bouquet of creme de cassis, crushed rocks, and spring flowers. Dense and opulent with silky tannins, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, a long finish, and no hard edges, this beauty should drink well for 15+ years.

Tasted blind at the 2007 Bordeaux horizontal in Southwold. The Montrose 2007 does not have the same complexity as its peers on the nose: quite subtle and demanding coaxing from the glass, eventually offering ripe blackberry, pomegranate and a touch of cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, quite cohesive but a little soft in texture towards the fleshy finish. Once it was revealed as Montrose, I must take into account that it rarely shows well in its youth and probably deserved more decanting, hence the plus sign. Tasted January 2011.