In 2005, a very serious drought year stressed most vineyards in Bordeaux, which

are all dry - farmed. The volume of rainfall was less than half the average of the

previous 30 years. The clay subsoils at Montrose have always played a major

role in not only dry years, but also in extremely hot ones, such as 2003, as they

retain more moisture. The grapes were harvested between September 23 and

October 9. This is a very powerful, full - bodied wine that is quite tannic, but

the tannins are relatively velvety. The wine is rich, complex, majestic, multi -

dimensional and also avoids any of the austerity that some 2005s possess. It has

done quite well in its bottle evolution and should turn out to be a great Montrose,

capable of lasting 30 to 50 years. /RP /Aug 2014