The 2010 Montrose Bordeaux Blend, produced by Montrose in the esteemed St Estephe sub-region of Bordeaux, France, is a red wine lauded for its complexity and aging potential. This vintage is composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, with an alcohol content of 14.0%.
The wine has garnered high praise from numerous professional reviewers, with scores ranging from 95 to a perfect 100. The blend's structure and potential for aging have been frequently highlighted across reviews.
Andrew Frieden from JJ Buckley awarded the wine a score of 98, emphasizing its potential for future development. He noted, "Blackberry and cassis liquor dominate the nose while violet lavender creosote and fresh turned earth are beginning to develop." Frieden also pointed out the wine's "precision and power" on the palate, suggesting it will be an intriguing comparison to the 2009 vintage over time.
Neal Martin’s Wine Journal gave it a 95+, describing it as a "classic Montrose with a persistent tarry aftertaste." Martin also commented on its introspective nose, saying it "tells you to bugger off and not come back for at least a decade."
Wine Spectator's review, scoring the wine at 97, highlighted its "dense core of plum, steeped currant and braised fig fruit, with racy charcoal and ganache notes." The review further noted its "intensely chalky" texture and "riveting finish."
Vinous' Antonio Galloni awarded the wine a perfect score of 100, calling it "insanely beautiful." He praised its "explosive energy" and "soaring floral and mineral notes," asserting that it benefits from aeration and is a wine to be thrilled by.
James Suckling, also giving a score of 97, described it as "a perfumed and pure Montrose," noting the evolution of flavors from currants and berries to chocolate and light coffee. He appreciated its "super racy tannins" and "bright and clean finish."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with a score of 97+, emphasized its "powerful tannic chassis" and the need for patience, while Decanter echoed similar sentiments with a score of 98, recommending it be opened for five to six hours if drinking soon but ideally put away for another few years.
Jeff Leve's review on TheWineCellarInsider.com, scoring it at 99, highlighted its "wealth of ripe, sweet, black, and red fruit," describing it as a wine that "seemingly never wants to stop."
Jane Anson, who scored it 98, noted its "spicy black pepper and cassis" with "tannins pressing in on the close of play," indicating a long future ahead.
Jeb Dunnuck gave it a 98, preferring the 2009 slightly more but acknowledging it has "everything you could want from this terroir," predicting it may merit even a higher rating in another decade.
Finally, The Wine Independent also awarded it a perfect 100, highlighting its "formidable structure of very firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness" and a finish that is "long, long, long."
In summary, the 2010 Montrose is a highly acclaimed Bordeaux Blend that promises exceptional aging potential and complexity, with reviewers consistently praising its structure, depth, and evolving flavors.