Montrose 1998

A classic effort, the 1998 Montrose exhibits a dense purple color in addition to a sweet nose of jammy cassis, licorice, earth, and smoke. It is a powerful and full-bodied wine with well-integrated tannin. Given Montrose’s tendency to shut down, it is performing better out of bottle than I expected. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2030. *** This is the finest offering I tasted from St.-Estephe. The tannin level has become better integrated, and the new saddle leather, steak tartare, earthy, plum, black cherry aromas reveal more ripeness as well as an element of sur maturite. It possesses luscious fruit, medium body, and a significant amount of Merlot in the blend. There is fine density in this pure, rich, surprisingly supple 1998 Medoc.