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CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT-BRION 2010 Pessac-Léognan. Cru Classé
CHÂTEAU PAVIE 2003 (OWC) Saint-Émilion. Premier Grand Cru Classé 2 x wrinkled labels, 1 x scuffed label
CHÂTEAU MONTROSE 2005 (OWC) Saint-Estèphe. 2ième Cru Classé 4 x scuffed labels
The wine has a stunning nose of roasted herbs, grilled meats, charcoal, blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, with some oak still present. Dense, full-bodied and very succulent and lush, this wine seems to be in late adolescence, ready to enter a relatively mature stage. There is always a suspicion because of the extreme heat in July and August that these wines will crack up very quickly, and certainly that will always be a worry, but this one looks set for at least another 10-15 years of drinkability. August 2015 WS 97 WA 96
Tasted at the vertical in London, the 2005 Montrose came and delivered the goods. This was the best example of the 2005 that I have tasted, perhaps a wine that is going to prove that, the longer wine lovers can resist temptation. It is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc and .5% Petit Verdot picked between 23 September and 9 October. The bouquet is extremely detailed, displaying more red berry fruit compared to the 2010 Montrose that leans towards black. Graphite and cedar emerge with time, even an unusual floral scent that is uncommon with respect to this property, whilst all the time retaining fantastic focus and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a ferrous tincture on the entry. There are the first signs of secondary notes (dried leaves and bay leaf), but it is the tannic backbone and the precision that really defines this Montrose at the moment. For certain, it is masculine and structured, yet it has enormous potential, perhaps more than was suggested when it was first released? This is for the long term, but you know that already. Tasted June 2016. Drink: 2025-2065 WA 97
This full-bodied, colossal giant of a wine is one of the goliaths of the vintage. It may well have the highest level of natural alcohol for any wine from the Le! Bank of Bordeaux (15.1%) and has the definite potential to be a 50- to 75-year wine. Dense purple, it offers up notes of lead pencil shavings, charcoal embers, blueberry and blackberry liqueur along with massive concentration, a multi-dimensional mouthfeel and a monumental finish that goes well past a minute, which I think might be a record for a young Bordeaux. Keep in mind that the 2009, which I gave three digits, came in at 14.7%, but the pH of the 2010 is lower, giving the wine a freshness and precision that is remarkable. The final blend was 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and – unlike the Chapelle de la Mission, which has 26% Cabernet Franc – there’s only 1% Cabernet Franc in the 2010 La Mission Haut-Brion. This is a wine for those of you with youth on your side as well as patience. It will need a good decade of cellaring. An amazing wine. Anticipated maturity: 2024-2075+ February 2013 WA 98+ 2 bts.
per lot $1,200 - $1,400
329 CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT-BRION 2010 Pessac-Léognan. Cru Classé WA 98+ 2 bts.
per lot $1,200 - $1,400
330 CHÂTEAU ANGÉLUS 1990 Saint-Émilion. Premier Grand Cru Classé A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, this is clearly the greatest Angelus until the 2000, 2003 and then the perfect 2005. Beautiful, sweet plum, blackberry and blueberry fruit soar from the glass of this opaque, purple wine that still hasn’t lost much in color. Deep, opulent, voluptuously textured, full-bodied and multidimensional, this is a stunner and just now approaching its plateau of full maturity, where it should stay for at least another 20 years. August 2015 Drink: 2015-2035 WA 99
6 bts. per lot $2,000 - $2,400
332 CHÂTEAU MONTROSE 1990 Saint-Estèphe. 2ième Cru Classé 1 x scuffed label This wine has an incredibly complex nose of spring flowers, blackberry and cassis liqueur, scorched earth and barbecue spice. It is fullbodied, majestic and opulent, with low acidity and fabulous fruit. It is close to full maturity. The wine should continue to drink well for at least another 30 or more years, but it is showing secondary nuances in the perfume. The wine is absolutely magnificent, broad, savory and mouth-filling. This is one of the alltime modern legends from Bordeaux as well as Chateau Montrose. August 2014 WA 100 2 bts.
per lot $1,500 - $1,700
333 CHÂTEAU MONTROSE 1990 Saint-Estèphe. 2ième Cru Classé 1 x scuffed label WA 100 2 bts.
per lot $1,500 - $1,700
6 bts. per lot $1,200 - $1,400
335 CHÂTEAU MONTROSE 2010 Saint-Estèphe. 2ième Cru Classé 4 x wrinkled labels Tasted at the Montrose vertical in London, the 2010 Montrose was the youngest vintage by some 115 years, but it is undeniably one of the best. It is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked from 27 September until 15 October. Deep, almost opaque in color, it has a tightly wound, arresting nose of blackberry, bilberry, crushed violets and graphite all with quite brilliant delineation. The palate is medium rather than full-bodied, laden with plenty of fruit, grippy like many 2010s with a structured, masculine and tannic finish that wards you away for another 10-15 years. However, it is still possible to admire the purity and delineation of this long-term Montrose, a wine that comes with a compulsory cellaring. Patience will be handsomely rewarded. How long can you wait? Tasted June 2016. Drink: 2030-2080 WA 99 4 bts. per lot $1,200 - $1,400
2 bts.
per lot $1,200 - $1,400