Ch Montrose, St Estephe 2008
"An undeniably great Montrose, after some time in wood, the 2008 should achieve the heights of the 2003, 1990, and 1989. Stylistically different from those wines, the 2008 harvest took place between September 29 and October 15, and yields were a modest 44 hectoliters per hectare. This superb terroir west of the Gironde River possesses a remarkable amount of gravel in the soil base. Sixty percent of the production made it into the 2008 Montrose, and the person responsible for so many great Haut-Brions, Jean-Bernard Delmas, came out of retirement to take charge over the last several vintages for proprietor Martin Bouygues. An inky/purple color is accompanied by sweet, pure aromas of black fruits and spice. This full-bodied wine exhibits superb concentration, sweet tannin, and a multilayered, textured, full-bodied mouthfeel with no hard edges. The sweetness of the tannin, the extraordinary purity of fruit, and the intense aromatics suggest a year of great ripeness. The difference between the 2008 and the 2003, 1990, or 1989 is the freshness and purity of expression. This should be a long-lived wine (35+ years), yet it will drink surprisingly well at a young age. For some reason, it comes across like an even more pure example of the 1989, even though there is nothing essentially comparable between the two harvests."
Score: 95-97 Robert Parker, eRobertParker.com

"There is a very attractive mix of black fruit on the nose, its ripeness giving it weight. The fleshy voluptuousness is there on the palate. The tannins form a cage at the moment but there is nothing aggressive about them allowing sweet fruit to enrich the finish."
Score: 91-96 Derek Smedley MW

"Shows blackberry and black licorice, with hints of mint. Full-bodied and fruity, with very fine tannins, good acidity and a nice intensity of mineral and spices."
Score: 88-91 James Suckling, WineSpectator.com

"Black-red, complex, concentrated blackcurrants nose, firm on the palate, quite tight and tough despite inherent richness, a classic Montrose which needs waiting for. Drink 2020-35."
Score 17.5 Points - Decanter