Montrose - Saint-Estèphe 1995

WeinWisser

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/7/2009

Aufhellendes Weinrot, erste Orangereflexe am Rand. Offenes Bouquet, Backpflaumen, Ledernoten, dominikanischer Tabak und Sommertrüffel, grosse Cabernet-Terroir Expression. Im Gaumen fest, mit Fleisch und Biss und noch verlangender Adstringenz, schon fast mächtig im Ansatz. Ein Montrose, der zwischen Tradition und Innovation schwankt. Auf alle Fälle mit dem Zeug zum grossen Klassiker! 2012 – 2030

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1998

An explosively rich, exotic, fruity Montrose, the 1995 displays even more fat and extract than the 1996. There is less Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1995 blend, resulting in a fuller-bodied, more accessible and friendlier style. The wine exhibits an opaque black/ruby/purple color, as well as a ripe nose of black fruits, vanillin, and licorice. Powerful yet surprisingly accessible (the tannin is velvety and the acidity low), this terrific example of Montrose should be drinkable at a young age. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2028.

Wine Spectator

88 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/31/1998

Perhaps not the best Montrose, but very good. Blackberry and dried cherry aromas have bark undertones. Medium- to full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins. Slightly alcoholic on the medium finish. Needs time to come together. Best after 2000. 18,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe1/1/1998

This wine has fleshed out, displaying a more defined, concentrated style than when I tasted it in March, 1996. Will it eclipse the highly successful 1994? The 1995 offers an opaque purple color, followed by aromas of black raspberries, blueberries, and cassis. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with moderate tannin, exceptional ripeness, low acidity, and a chewy expansiveness. It will begin to shed its tannin in 5-6 years, and will keep for two decades. Last tasted 1/97

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1997

Montrose has been one of Bordeaux's most consistently successful chateaux since 1989. This wine has fleshed out, displaying a more defined, concentrated style than when I tasted it in March, 1996. Will it eclipse the highly successful 1994? The 1995 offers an opaque purple color, followed by aromas of black-raspberries, blueberries, and cassis. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with moderate tannin, exceptional ripeness, low acidity, and a chewy expansiveness. It will begin to shed its tannin in 5-6 years, and will keep for two decades.

Wine Advocate

88-89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1996

Given Montrose's exceptional performance in 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1994, I was surprised the 1995 did not "ring my chime" on the three occasions I tasted it. I kept wondering whether the wine was simply not showing well during the time I was in Bordeaux, or if I was missing something in Montrose that I was seeing in the vintage's finest wines! Make no mistake about it, it is an excellent wine, but it does not look to be as strong and as successful as the 1994. The wine exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, and an open-knit nose of jammy black fruits with underlying notes of new wood and minerals. Although full-framed and muscular, the wine's slightly flat middle, as well as its lack of the texture and depth found in the 1994, left me wondering if something would emerge with further barrel aging. Certainly the wine will fatten up, but I do not see it as one of the stars of the 1995 vintage. The wine's low acidity and thick, oozing fruitiness suggest it will have, deservedly, many fans. I may have underrated it, but for now I will stick to my position that the 1994 is the superior wine, and that the 1995, while excellent, may not be outstanding. It promises to drink well young and last for 15+ years. Wines such as this can often appear to be somewhat disjointed when very young (how well I remember the 1982 Pichon-Lalande), but take on more precision with age. I look forward to retasting Montrose later this year.