Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

9.3179 ratings
9.339 pro ratings
St. Estèphe, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Blue Cheese, Onion
Top Notes For
Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

It is really no surprise that this 05 is incredible and yet still extremely youthful. This 05 will out live almost anyone 50 years old. It is good for another 45 years.

I had their 16 La Dame last weekend & commented it should not be opened for another 10 years.

The core on the nose is dark velvet black currants. There’s a bit of melted dark chocolate-mousse. Ripe but subtle blackberries, black raspberries, black plum-plum pudding, very dark cherries, some mulberries, mocha powder, dark, rich earth, dry river stone, limestone, anise, mix of dry/fresh herbs, fine, undertone of baking spices, moist grey clay, slightly dry tobacco, sandalwood, mild, elegant spice, just the slightest hint of mint, very, slightly candied, dark, withering flowers & red roses.

The palate is rich, round with velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark fruits blended in melted dark-mocha chocolate. Blackberries, black raspberries, both plums w/ heavy skin, dark cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries & raspberries over the top. Dry bay leaf-sage, moist clay, rich, dark, turned earth, dry river stone, limestone powder, stem inclusion, red licorice/cola, anise to black licorice candy, sandalwood to soft cedar, slightly moist tobacco, used leather, mild, dark spice, a touch & just a touch of tomato leaf, hints of cardamom, dark/red withering flowers with just a touch of violets, perfect acidity and a very well knitted, tensioned, balanced, structured, elegantly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on nice earthiness & softly muddled spice.

Paired w/ their bone-in Ribeye. Best steakhouse steak that I’ve had out and not made by friends and or myself. Rich fat, tender and nice flavor. Lacks a bit of char and Napa Valley Rub from wholespice.com.

Open in another 15-20 years.

A real shot at a 💯 in another 15-20+.

@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas

It is really no surprise that this 05 is incredible and yet still extremely youthful. This 05 will out live almost anyone 50 years old. It is good for another 45 years.

I had their 16 La Dame last weekend & commented it should not be opened for another 10 years.

The core on the nose is dark velvet black currants. There’s a bit of melted dark chocolate-mousse. Ripe but subtle blackberries, black raspberries, black plum-plum pudding, very dark cherries, some mulberries, mocha powder, dark, rich earth, dry river stone, limestone, anise, mix of dry/fresh herbs, fine, undertone of baking spices, moist grey clay, slightly dry tobacco, sandalwood, mild, elegant spice, just the slightest hint of mint, very, slightly candied, dark, withering flowers & red roses.

The palate is rich, round with velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark fruits blended in melted dark-mocha chocolate. Blackberries, black raspberries, both plums w/ heavy skin, dark cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries & raspberries over the top. Dry bay leaf-sage, moist clay, rich, dark, turned earth, dry river stone, limestone powder, stem inclusion, red licorice/cola, anise to black licorice candy, sandalwood to soft cedar, slightly moist tobacco, used leather, mild, dark spice, a touch & just a touch of tomato leaf, hints of cardamom, dark/red withering flowers with just a touch of violets, perfect acidity and a very well knitted, tensioned, balanced, structured, elegantly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on nice earthiness & softly muddled spice.

Paired w/ their bone-in Ribeye. Best steakhouse steak that I’ve had out and not made by friends and or myself. Rich fat, tender and nice flavor. Lacks a bit of char and Napa Valley Rub from wholespice.com.

Open in another 15-20 years.

A real shot at a 💯 in another 15-20+.

@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas

May 10th, 2025
Alberto Cdm

Yess!!

Yess!!

Feb 27th, 2024
Lee Pitofsky

A 3 hour decant has 05 Montrose showing beautifully, wafting layers of cassis, cedar and mocha with a silky and vibrant palate and fine grained tannins. Still so young but in a real nice spot.

A 3 hour decant has 05 Montrose showing beautifully, wafting layers of cassis, cedar and mocha with a silky and vibrant palate and fine grained tannins. Still so young but in a real nice spot.

Feb 17th, 2024
Ron R
8.3

Musky, sweet, edgy, peppery… huge disappointment. Can’t get past the effervescent mid palate felony. Not even sure you can describe this as Bdx wine…. Sniff!

Musky, sweet, edgy, peppery… huge disappointment. Can’t get past the effervescent mid palate felony. Not even sure you can describe this as Bdx wine…. Sniff!

Dec 27th, 2022
Greg Koslosky

All the pieces in place for greatness and starting to drink now .

All the pieces in place for greatness and starting to drink now .

Jul 16th, 2018
Lee Pitofsky

The great 2005 vintage. Power and structure, rich black fruits, pencil shavings, saddle leather, tobacco and spices. Finishes with exceptional length and complexity. A bottle that can be enjoyed thoroughly now or age for decades. A terrific treat at Tak Room.

The great 2005 vintage. Power and structure, rich black fruits, pencil shavings, saddle leather, tobacco and spices. Finishes with exceptional length and complexity. A bottle that can be enjoyed thoroughly now or age for decades. A terrific treat at Tak Room.

2 people found it helpfulJan 20th, 2020
Peter van den Besselaar

Vintage 2005 | cardinalred, spicyness, voluptuous, rondeur, still a lot of potential

Vintage 2005 | cardinalred, spicyness, voluptuous, rondeur, still a lot of potential

1 person found it helpfulJun 11th, 2021
Greg Gregory

Needs LOTS of time.

Needs LOTS of time.

1 person found it helpfulJul 25th, 2016
Nic Z
9.5

Big chewy young Bordeaux. Super rich, super heavy super heavy tannings

Big chewy young Bordeaux. Super rich, super heavy super heavy tannings

1 person found it helpfulApr 20th, 2014
Bob McDonald

A Cabernet dominant blend. Very much showing its class as a 2nd Growth from a good vintage. Not quite at the level of the 2 Margauxs. Sterner Tannins. Powerful.

A Cabernet dominant blend. Very much showing its class as a 2nd Growth from a good vintage. Not quite at the level of the 2 Margauxs. Sterner Tannins. Powerful.

May 30th, 2017