Château Montrose – 2011 – Saint Estèphe 2nd Grand Cru Classé

Very dense and inky colour, impenetrable core. Dark ruby towards the rim. Still quite youthful on the nose. Mostly fruity expression of ripe dark fruits, black currants, plum, quite high ripeness of fruit there. Some sweet fruit character, almost with a hint of confiture. Quite elegant oak, gently roasted with some cedar wood, tobacco. Very powerful on the palate, really dense and vigorous with plenty of extract. That is still on the youthful side, but I would say ripe tannin. Rounded extract, just quite a lot of it. Same thing goes for the fruit. Intense fruitiness, with dark plum, cassis flavours, layered with a slightly aromatic spiciness in the direction of sage and mint. Oak feels integrated. Some gentle roasted flavours on the palate as well. Really mouth-filling and broad. Long and lingering finish. Still very dense and very youthful and tight. Doubtlessly a wine that should have very big potential for further development.

Tasted by the Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson.