Château Montrose St. Estephe 2000

Aromas of mint, berry and licorice follow through to a full-bodied palate that is thick and rich yet refined and reserved. This is dense and well-structured, with loads of vanilla, berry and lightly roasted fruit. Powerful but still holding back. Compacted and dense.--Non-blind Château Montrose vertical. Best after 2010.

Originally rated 96, this wine confirmed its early rating, although again, the backwardness and still very obvious tannins suggest another 7- to 8-year wait. Dense ruby/purple, with a bouquet of blueberry, crushed rock, and some floral notes, the wine is medium to full-bodied , rich, powerful, but again very tannic and still strikingly youthful. For a wine that is already 10 years of age, it remains infantile. This blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is indeed a special wine and should hit its prime in about 2020 and last at least 30 years afterward.