Damn good bottle of wine..
Edit… came back as I couldn’t stop thinking about this bottle all night.
California wines were my ‘gateway drug’. I moved away from these wines as I learned about and tried the many many varietals around the world. Ultimately, I fell in love with the quality and, frankly, accessibility of Italian wines. Over the last 5 or 10 years i’ve tried many Italians, travelled to and gotten to know the regions reasonably well. Italy vino is my thing.
But French wine… it eludes me. I know there are great wines — maybe the best. But the country is so large, the regions and varieties so diverse, the price, sometimes too discouraging, that I simply haven’t learned enough about the wines to know my way around the offerings or how to find the wines I love.
But… I know they are there. I’ve had my share. And just how “every now and then a squirrel finds a nut”, so to do I, from time to time find my way to a great French bottle to remind me I’ve leveled up.
This bottle, for me, was one of those reminders. I actually opened it by accident. While bummed it had no age, I was so happy to drink it. I’ll probably buy a few more to cellar… and, yeah, will probably now spend a little more time and money brushing up on my French…
— 18 days ago
2020 vintage. A blend of 49% Merlot,44% Cabernet Sauvignon,4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. I tasted this at the estate during the primeur campaign, and it certainly does not disappoint in 2025. A good introduction to the incredible grand vin, La Dame is more Merlot dominated, and more approachable in its youth. Very refined and elegant, with impeccable purity of fruit, a silky mouthfeel, fresh balancing acidity, and a long finish. It's very hard to resist now, but it should age gracefully. Abv. 13,5%. — 13 hours ago
A 2nd respected wine label of Cos D’Estournel (a 2nd Growth of the 1855 Grand Cru Classification) with a blend of Cab Sauv at 44%, Merlot at 46,2%, Cab Franc at 5,8% and Petit Verdot at 4% brings out an opulent, intense, deep, yet refined and properly-balanced red. The V’15 is perfectly poised, seductive, and extremely enjoyable. Eruptive fruity, with powerful aromatics in baked red fruits. The level of ripeness and raisins in notably persistent. Pagodes V’15 seats among my top favorites from Saint-Estèphe sub-appellation that will never disappoints and/or falls short of expectations. Cheers! — 15 days ago
Another excellent btl that was consistent with my prior notes — 5 days ago
Inky dark ruby, licorice and cherries, full body — 9 days ago
Alexandre Pagliano
We think something has changed at Montrose after the departure of Jean Bernard Delmas. Its not a bad wine by any means but the style is modern and extracted. At ten years this ie very drinkable and great quality but does not speak to its terroir as it used to. Hope its just one year… — 11 days ago