2009 La Dame de Montrose, St Estèphe, Bordeaux

Aromas of berries, currant and citrus fruit follow through to a full body, with firm and chewy tannins and a medium finish. A little hollow in the midpalate. Second wine of Montrose.

28% of production. 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 82% Merlot. Light nose, slightly soapy, with obviously a lot of substance underneath. Very rich and full and succulent but not awfully refreshing. Just a tad heavy. Then rather raw tannins on the finish. A bit ungainly. Very much a second wine rather than a wine sculpted in its own right.

The 2009 La Dame de Montrose is an amazing blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. Over the last twenty years, Montrose's second wine, La Dame de Montrose has been an excellent buy. The 2009 La Dame de Montrose is a seductive, succulent effort revealing silky tannins, abundant blueberry and blackberry fruit notes intermixed with notions of damp earth, truffles and camphor, and an appealing, luscious personality. Enjoy it over the next 10-15 years.

Over the last twenty years, Montrose's second wine, La Dame de Montrose has been an excellent buy. The 2009 La Dame de Montrose almost all Merlot with a tiny bit of Cabernet Sauvignon) is a seductive, succulent effort revealing silky tannins, abundant blueberry and blackberry fruit notes intermixed with notions of damp earth, truffles and camphor, and an appealing, luscious personality. Enjoy it over the next 10-15 years.