Montrose 2015 (1.5L)

95 Points, Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Montrose opens with broody black fruits, menthol and anise notes with a core of cassis, blueberries and mulberries plus a touch of cedar chest. The medium-bodied mouth is firm and chewy with a good core of muscular fruit and a long, earthy finish. (LPB) "

94 points Neal Martin: "The 2015 Montrose was bottled in July 2017, a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. I remember that Herve Berland felt that I was rather mean to the 2015 after the splendid 2014. Certainly I find that élevage has meliorated this Montrose and lent the aromatics a little more complexity and cohesion compared to its showing in barrel. There is still plenty of blackberry and cassis fruit, also a subtle floral component that becomes more conspicuous with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, smooth and almost silky in texture with a fine bead of acidity. This is certainly one of the more elegant and graceful Montrose in recent years with a lovely saline, marine-influenced finish. I maintain that it will be surpassed by the 2014 and nascent 2016, but it remains a delicious Montrose whose fineness of tannins should render it more approachable than other recent vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2021 - 2045." (02/2018)

"90-93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media: ""The 2015 Montrose is silky, super-finessed and nuanced, all qualities that are unusual for a wine that is usually much more of a powerhouse. Black cherry, smoke, leather, graphite, crème de cassis and licorice notes open up in the glass, yet the wine comes across as raw and not fully formed. The 2015 appeared to put on a bit of weight over the two weeks I followed it, but I don't see the depth, structure and personality of the very best versions."" 04/16"

93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media: "The 2015 Montrose has developed very nicely over the last two years. As it showed from barrel, the 2015 is a relatively light-bodied wine for this site. Even so, all the elements are very nicely balanced throughout. I suspect the 2015 needs at least a handful of years to become fully expressive and will age for decades, although it will never be a huge wine in the style of viscerally thrilling vintages like 2014, 2016 and so many others. The 2015 is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc that spent 18 months in French oak, 30% new. (AG)"

98 Points, James Suckling: "Intensity and clarity of fruit is so insane. Blackberries, spices such as cloves, blueberries, sandalwood and dried lavender. Full body and such a beautiful, dense center palate with perfectly polished tannins. Extremely long and beautiful. One of the best young Montroses in a long, long time. Drink in 2024." 2/18

95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck: " Another wine I was able to taste on multiple occasions, the 2015 Montrose is a certainly the wine of Saint-Estèphe in 2015. Notes of cassis, damp earth, violets, and graphite/lead pencil notes all flow to a beautifully pure, elegant and multi-dimensional 2015 that has fine, polished tannin, perfect balance, and a great finish. The 2015 is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, all of which was brought up in 65% new oak. This isn't a blockbuster yet is pure class all the way. It will be better in 4-5 years and keep for 2-3 decades. "