Ruby in color with a purple core, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has sour cherries, some cassis, and slightly earthy with some attic dust. Medium to full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate sour cherries and black cherries. Nice finish. A nice wine, but the tartness will require some food to balance. Perhaps Roasted Duck would work nicely. Drink over the next seven to twelve years.
This is the second wine of Chateau Montrose. The blend is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Purple in color, shimmering bright and opaque. The nose has cassis, sandalwood, spice, and tobacco. Full bodied. Firm tannins. On the palate, this is deep and powerful. Cassis, and earthy with some char. Long finish. This will drink well for another ten years. It will go well with a steak but also a home made Macaroni and Cheese.
This is the second wine of Cos D'Estournel. It is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with dust cassis, cherries, soy sauce, slight tobacco and spice. A great lush texture. Firm tannins. On the palate, cassis, black cherries, with spice and slight tobacco notes. Long finish. This needs another seven to ten years to mature and will drink well for ten to fifteen after that. It will work well with roasted meats such as Roasted Lamb with garlic.
From the great 2018 vintage, this is one that is drinking quite well at this young age with just a bit of air. It is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cassis, cinnamon, spice and black cherries. Full bodied. On the palate, this is showing a nice depth and complexity. Delicious. Medium but firm tannins. Flavors of cassis, leather, spice and slight dry earthiness. Good balance. Nice finish. This will continue to mature over the next five to seven years, but drinks well now and will for the n
This is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot from the very good 1996 vintage in Bordeaux. purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. There is some cassis but mostly dried fruits, tobacco, cigar box, dried leather and some spice. Medium bodied with good acidity. On the palate, this is complex and fully mature. It doesn't seem much past though (depending on how you like older Bordeaux). Black cherry fruit, dried cherries, forest floor, and slight spice.
Another wine to turn to when looking for value in top vintages of Bordeaux. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cassis and plums and slight leather and char. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, this is firm tannins. A velvety texture. Lots of cassis fruit with underlying leather and slight char. Good acidity. Nice finish. This needs another five to eight years to approach maturity and should drink well for ten to fifteen after that. This will work well with grilled or roasted meats (or vegetables).
