The first vintage under new owner Martin Bouygues,who convinced Jean-Bernard Delmas to come out of retirement to produce this wine, the 2006 Montrose is an undeniable success. A blend of approximately two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one-third Merlot, and a tiny dollop of Petit Verdot, the most dramatic difference between the 2006, and wines made by the previous administration is that Jean Delmas produces wines with sweeter, silkier tannins, although analytically, they are as high as those found in the great Montrose vintages of the past. The 2006 is extraordinarily elegant and finesse-styled, but it exhibits stunningly concentrated, sweet blackberry and cassis fruit with hints of flowers and minerals. Full-bodied with a savory, expansive mid-palate as well as sweet, noble tannins, this beauty will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 20-25+ years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #181, Feb 2009)

True to the stereotype for St-Estephe, the 2006 Montrose is tannic, long, and powerful. The fruit is closed on the initial attack but opens on the palate with notes of blackberry and fig and hints of bell pepper and bramble. The texture is dense with somewhat astringent tannins that draw it to a lingering finish but require much more time to resolve. The estate notes that the blend is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot, picked from 18 September, and that they did a green harvest to leave only six bunches per vine.

Good medium ruby. Expressive nose offers blackcurrant, plum, licorice, roasted herbs, smoke and minerals. Supple and refined, with lovely perfume and restrained sweetness. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins that coat the front teeth and turn a bit dry with aeration. Needs aging, but does not appear to possess the concentration or power of the best vintages here.

Quality 762 | Brand 992 | Economics 896 |
Quality: Predicted life of 14 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group, which averages 9 years Brand: Strong restaurant presence, featuring on 34 of the world's top wine lists, including Tru Economics: Above its peer group average price of £33 for the 2006 vintage Production:

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. The 2006 Château Montrose is a difficult wine on which to get a handle. It seems very distant and for want of a better word, unlovable on the nose, which lacks the usual depth and conviction. Lightweight? The palate is medium-bodied with rustic, rather dry tannin, mealy in the mouth and surprisingly loose-knit towards the finish. This is a disappointing Saint Estèphe for the vintage - a Montrose that just never seemed to hear the starting gun. Can't win 'em all the time. Tasted January 2016.

– eRobertParker.com, May 2016

72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot. 41 hl/ha. Harvested 18 Sept to 3 Oct. First vintage of the Bouygues era (Jean-Bernard Delmas general manager, Nicolas Glumineau technical director). Garnet hue with some evolution at the rim. Cedar with dark and red-fruit notes initially, moving to tobacco leaf as it opens. Palate fresh and stony but a little pinched and strict. Bit old school, the ripeness not fully there. Has the structure for further development but likely to remain austere. (JL)