The 2005 Montrose continues to show brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with notes of blackcurrant, red fruits, loamy soil, black truffles and cigar ash. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's still brooding and tannic, with lively acids and an imposing chassis of structuring—and artery-cleansing—extract. Still an adolescent, it's one of the last unrepentantly old-school vintages of Montrose, and Médoc purists couldn't own enough. (WK)

This was the last vintage for the Charmolue family - Jean-Bernard Delmas oversaw the elevage of this wine. Deep garnet in color with a touch of brick at the rim, the 2005 Montrose is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. After a little shaking, the nose erupts with a fantastic perfume of blackcurrant pastilles, kirsch, raisin cake, and forest floor, leading to hints of aniseed, cracked black pepper, and unsmoked cigars. The medium-bodied palate has a rock-solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing very long and minerally. (LPB)

A big, rich, gorgeous Montrose, the 2005 reveals a deep ruby/plum hue as well as classic Saint-Estephe notes of darker currants and cassis interwoven with graphite, leather, and violet nuances. It’s a big, rich, concentrated, medium to full-bodied effort that has a terrific sense of freshness, flawless balance, and remarkable purity and precision. It’s just now starting to show a kiss of maturity and it looks to be in the early phases of its prime drinking window. It’s also the finest bottles I’ve had, pointing to this starting to round the corner and show its full potential. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and a splash of Petit Verdot, it’s not far off the style of the 2010, although maybe with a touch more accessibility. It should cruise for another 30 years in cold cellars.