Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This 2006 was a tale of 1/2 of the bottle decanted in a wide decanter and the other 1/2 left in bottle. The bottom 1/2 bottle better than the 2 hour decant. The decanted part lost complete Bordeaux character, mid palate and depth. A shorter decant was in order, but that doesn’t mean this 06 is waning. It has another 7–10 yrs from bottle.

2006 was the vintage that followed the grand 2005 vintage, not an entirely fair growing seasons. Based on the 2005 vintage, the Bordelaise overpriced the 2006 vintage. The Bordelaise disappointed in the price they sold 2005’s looked to make up their perceived losses in 2006. Except, the quality wasn’t the same. Not even close.

The nose shows brambly, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries and lean raspberry edges. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark chocolate bar, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather,. softy layered baking spices, black licorice-tarriness, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender.

The palate is ripe, juicy w/ medium, rounded tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, strawberries and lean raspberry. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark & slightly melted chocolate, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, softy layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, mid dark spices w/ some palate heat, black licorice-tarriness, dry herbs, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dry top soil, moist, grey, volcanic clay, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender, very nice acidity, nicely balanced, well structured/tensioned w/ an elegant finish that lasts a minute plus and lands on earth & spice with mid intensity palate heat.

92 decanted. 93 the bottom 1/2 of the bottle, not decanted. — 2 days ago

Austin Blackwell

9.2

Expressive nose with black fruits and leathery notes. Needs a decant but certainly approachable now. Nice firm tannins. — a month ago

with Angelina

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Showing black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, chocolates, toast, licorice, spices, earth, tobacco and herbs.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot based blend from Bordeaux. Rich and extracted. Nicely balanced and complex.

This 16 year old is starting to drink at its peak now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Wine Advocate 96 points. Wine Spectator 96 points.

I've had the 2012 a few years ago, but this 2010 vintage is showing so much better.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, so be patient.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food.

A blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 17 months in French Oak barrels. Unfiltered and unfined.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$180. — 2 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.6

One of the great vintages of Montrose showing mostly black fruits with sweet savory spices, tobacco notes. This was rich, full bodied that kept developing in the glass — 9 days ago

Mark S.

9.0

Always good ample aroma including black currant, berry and cherry. Leather. Slightly solid. Better to wait for years. Rafon Rochet 17 @3080, Galeri, 260518 — 6 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Medium Ruby with aromas of black and red fruits with floral spice notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with smoke and tobacco notes. Generous acidity on fine soft tannins with a long finish ending with fruit and floral spice. Drinking well now! — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Drinking well with notes of red & black fruit, orange peel, floral, aromatic spices, crushed rock & fresh cut flowers. — 2 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Red & black fruits, cassis, spice box, cedar, leather & tobacco — 14 days ago

"Odedi"

9.1

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Deep purple in color with a wide reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, licorice, herbs, chocolates, light earth, garrigue and peppercorn.

Full bodied and soft, with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black cherries, plums, light oak, spices, coffee, licorice, tobacco leaf, light earth, chocolates, herbs and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Merlot based blend from Saint Emilion. Elegant and nicely balanced. Showing good complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Needed 2 hours in the bottle to open up.

This 10 year old Merlot from the great 2016 vintage still feels young. Probably in its 'dumb phase' right now, and needs a few more years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and better with food.

A blend of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (50% new) French Oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$125. — 24 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

Strawberries, black cherries, dark chocolate and truffles. Very powerful. Apparently it is aged in 100% new oak, which is often not the best idea,but in this one it's perfectly integrated. Very long finish. — a month ago