Montrose St-Estèphe 1995

95 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "It is fantastic to revisit this wine, as a full decade seems to have passed by since I last pulled the cork on a bottle. It is fascinating to see how it has evolved, still brimming with burly aromatic confidence, but not with the more streamlined and elegant structure that comes with age. In the glass it has an evidently mature hue, a mahogany claret, with a very gentle fade out at the rim to a thin, bricking and near-translucent rim. There follows a classically styled nose, full of game and old leather, with notes of warm peppered beef, rusty iron and bay leaf. The palate is finely poised, lightly piquant perhaps, its age showing, delicately poised but in an elegant and mature style, with fine boned acidity, peppercorn fruit, tar, liquorice and bay leaf. It is lightly textured;the tannins feel completely resolved now, the structure all coming from the acidity which gives it a peppery tingle in the finish. Long and charming, this is drinking well. I think it will decline slowly and there is no sign of it falling apart just yet, but drink sooner rather than later if you have any. (7/1/20)"

93 points Robert Parker: "An explosively rich, exotic, fruity Montrose, the 1995 displays even more fat and extract than the 1996. There is less Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1995 blend, resulting in a fuller-bodied, more accessible and friendlier style. The wine exhibits an opaque black/ruby/purple color, as well as a ripe nose of black fruits, vanillin, and licorice. Powerful yet surprisingly accessible (the tannin is velvety and the acidity low), this terrific example of Montrose should be drinkable at a young age. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2028. (Feb 1998)"

93 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Here we start to see the slightly austere side of Montrose, and how this helps it to age so gracefully. Exceptionally young at 22 years old, still tightly-structured and richly-scented. Cassis, truffles, cedar, burnished oak, and tobacco are set by lovely placement of tannins that are still fairly bullish and young. Classical and effortless. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Drinking Window: 2017-2035. (Mar 2017)"

92 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "...a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that was harvested from 13 to 26 September. The bouquet is less vigorous and more approachable than the 1996 Montrose, initially quite taciturn, but gaining vigor with time and offering blackberry, briary and undergrowth scents, later just a touch of bay leaf and sandalwood. The palate is driven by the higher Merlot content, rendering this a relatively plush and comely Saint Estèphe, well balanced with very good depth, perhaps a Montrose for those with a penchant for headier and opulent styles of wine. Whilst the 1996 has the class and sophistication, the greatest virtue of the 1995 is the most fundamental: enjoyment. Tasted June 2016. Drink: 2016-2035. (Mar 2017)"