Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This was a check-in to see how ready my 2000 Montrose’s are doing. A good check.

This is absolutely a close relative of the 2nd Growth Montrose. The thing that experience has taught me is, Montrose is a long in the tooth producer. As well, the 2000 Bordeaux vintage mimics that completely.

I would say the 2000 Montrose is finally ready with a longish decant.

This is completely classic Bordeaux and Saint-Estèphe.

The nose shows ripe, lush, nearly candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, back/stewed dark cherries, strawberries & raspberry hues. Both dark & milk chocolate to pudding, dry twig/soils, dark rich soils, dry river stone, dark & mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, softly layered baking spices, limestone/sandstone, black tea, used leather & tobacco, black olive tapenade, light cedar, semi-used charcoal, dark, red fresh & slightly withering flowers.

The palate shows nicely resolved M+ rounded, tarry tannins. It has freshness and bright fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, back/stewed dark cherries, strawberries & raspberry hues. Both dark & milk chocolate to pudding, dry twig/soils, dark rich soils, dry river stone, dark spice w/ palate heat, dark & mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, softly layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & very light vanillin, limestone/sandstone, moist clay, crushed dry rocks, grey volcanics, black tea, used leather & tobacco, black olive tapenade, light cedar, dark, red fresh & slightly withering flowers, beautiful acidity, it is nicely toned, good structure/tension with a well balanced, elegant & polish finish for days that lasts two-minutes and lands on dry earth & spice.

91-92.

Still has 5-10 yr of life ahead depending on your storage. — a month ago

Pooneet K

9.3

Really a wonderful St J and a crazy value as a 2nd wine. Lovely pairing with roast rack of lamb with garlic / rosemary / mustard. In a good window but could take more time honestly. Wonderful acid, quite deep fruit, long finish, tannins still very there, delicious. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous notes on 2 tasting occasions. Coincidentally all at Paros on the Beach Apartments - all 3 tastings. One of my favourite 2nd wines in Australia. Often associated with white pepper, this exhibits more plum and spice. A very good wine and great QPR. — 5 years ago

Steve S

9.0

Bordeaux 2nd wines event — 7 years ago

Peter Phillips

9.1

2nd to last bottle last night with a roast beef. I'll look forward to the last very soon — 8 years ago

Chris England

9.4

Second wine of Palmer in a top year @ £45, now £70+ & still has 10 yrs life in it easily 👍 Excellent value from a top Chateau & one of my favourite 2nd wines showing great elegance 😎

📍 Chateau Palmer Alter Ego Margaux 2009

🏵 94 points

🍇 52% Merlot & 48% Cabernet Sauvignon

🍷Deep opaque ruby red

👃 Juicy plump blackcurrant & dark plum through soft smokey oak, mocha, cracked mineral rock, soggy earth & leather w/ lead & liquorish

👄 Med rich body of ripe blackcurrant & dark plum w/ earthy mocha, red berry liquorice & a touch dry mineral in fine slight dry tannins & minerals

🎯 Med+ mocha blackcurrant & red liquorice slight dry finale which lingers raspberry & blackcurrant mocha — 8 years ago

Tom Garland

9.2

2nd vintage from the Kronos vineyard

Decant and pour(lots of sediment). A medium tawny red color. On the nose: very expressive port like sweet notes with dried cherry, stewed meat, eucalyptus, cedar, herbs. Taste: silky, still fresh for its age, amazing acid wine with sour cherry, loamy soil, licorice and a peppery espresso medium plus finish. YUM! Sure, on the downside, but holds it own tonight. — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Ruud Verhagen

9.2

Beautiful perfume with dark and smoky black fruit, currants, violets, herbs, Asian spice, cedar, some coffee tones and a faint of wet stone on the palate. An excellent 2nd wine that delivers after 10 years. — 10 months ago

Patrick Hu

9.4

2nd birthday wine - outstanding! Love the wet stones/graphite. — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Always a great choice for a 2nd btl off the list to finish lunch. Lots of berry fruit, citrus, pastry dough in a creamy finish — 5 years ago

Lyn Farmer

9.4

Tagged “Proprietor’s Reserve,” the wine is entirely from the small Last Chance vineyard and is a numbered bottle. Mine was Number 48. Pale garnet; pronounced intensity aromas of black cherry, fresh herbs, violets, High acidity, low velvety tannin, sour cherry, violet, very clean lingering finish. outstanding quality. Will improve with further age but delicious now. A stunning wine. — 6 years ago

Jack Petras

9.8

Fortunate enough to have tasted this along with 6 other stunning wines last night during a cellar tasting. This 36 year old 2nd growth was nearly perfect, unusual but very pleasant mint, camphor, crushed sage and rosemary aromas with the same cooling delicate herbal initial palate. Dried but expressive red fruits mid- palate with a great structural graphite element throughout. Whiff of new leather. Changed in the glass showing different mellow facets. Pretty much intercepted at the exact right time. A real privilege to taste such a renowned vintage with folks who appreciates what was in front of them. — 8 years ago

Stas Medvedev

9.1

🏅 Rating: 91/100 (4,1🌟)

Clear bright ruby. First nose of perfumed red sour cherry in chocolate, dark cherry. Wet wood. Spices: black pepper. Tannins are firm, but not green.

In 20 min developed in Burgundy style similar to one of youthful Mercurey - red berries over meat and spicy tobacco, slightly green.

Shows beautifuly on the 2nd day, but fruits are more cooked.

Wine has reached its maturity and should drink nicely till 2025 — 8 years ago

Joan Ziegler

9.3

A welcome addition to our wine tasting at our 2025 Christmas party! Very big and bold. Well, structured and smooth.! — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

After pressing dried grapes from making Amarone, Valpolicella wine is passed over the still warm skins of Amarone for 2nd alcoholic fermentation, increasing the alcoholic content, aromas and color. Blend of 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta. Deep Ruby with aromas of sweet dried berry fruits and pepper spice. On the palate ripe blackberry, currants and sweet cherry with complex spice. Well balanced with acidity and alcohol, full-body with soft tannins on long finish. Nice value. — 8 months ago

John Van Trijp

10

2nd Edition In optima forma. 40-45 Years old with a very active mousse.. what a Privilege to drink!! ❤️ — 4 years ago

Jaq Sebastian

9.3

A must try if you like rich, generous and concentrated flavour, with a hint of smooth sweet dark berry and luscious oak. Intense. — 4 years ago

Justin

9.2

$54.98 & Total Wine. 2nd Growth. A bit sweet. Medium bodied. Needs more age, will be great. — 6 years ago

Paul J

9.0

This is the bottle I opened but not the wine I’ve had! Totally faked or doctored.

I’ve had enough of this wine and comparable Bordeaux’s to know this was not right.

Probably an over the hill (2000-2004) Australian or California Cabernet that is over oak’d, fruit forward, from a mediocre producer. Outside chance it’s a Spanish Priorat.

Wine actually wasn’t bad, but not as advertised!! — 7 years ago

with Brooke

Mark S.

9.1

Good aroma and even concentrated compared with 2012, from the beginning. Blackberry, licorice. Enough acidity, still need a decanting time. 2nd day, I found ink flavor. 4th day, much better in concentration and ink flavor. 2010 @2500, wine plus - XH , 180908-190330 — 8 years ago