TESTING
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
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