Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 Montrose has a crisp, earthy, tobacco-scented bouquet with sage and clove developing in the glass—clearly a Saint Estèphe that is determined to succeed in an off-vintage, which this estate is masterful at doing. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin. This bottle felt compact for this vintage, one of the few 2007s that merit decanting. However, there is undeniably plenty of freshness and a welcome touch of spice towards the finish. Linear in style, this is one of the few 2007s that should improve with bottle age. Tasted February 2017.

Interesting aromas of blackberry and dried mushroom follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a slightly austere finish. Polished and stylish, but needs some fruit midpalate to be outstanding. Best after 2012. 18,335 cases made. -JS

Pure nose, well defined, small black fruits. Expressive palate, structured, lots of fine tannins that are very tight and need time to soften. Will be lovely after ageing