Montrose 2008

One of the superstars of the vintage, this classic Montrose is not as showy or opulent as the 2010, 2009 or 2003, but it offers a dense purple color followed by gorgeously sweet black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with loamy, earthy, forest floor notes, a floral component and a long, full-bodied finish. The 2008 was fashioned from yields of 44 hectoliters per hectare which is slightly less than the 2010's 45 hectoliters per hectare. Forget it for 5-8 years and drink it over the following 20+.

I impressed with the purity of fruit and ultra-fine tannins in this wine. It’s full bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Sexy and refined. Ends with spices and berries. Fascinating for the vintage. Chewy. Better after 2014.

Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. I was originally a little mean in my score when tasted blind, but the longer I left this in the glass the more it seemed to blossom. There is a fine sense of transparency on the nose with crushed stone underneath those pure black fruits that soars. It exudes very well integrated, high quality new oak on the medium-bodied palate. Quite succulent with ripe tannins, a little more open than many Montroses at this early juncture, but undeniably very well crafted with touches of black pepper on the finish. Tasted January 2012.