The 1893 Montrose is one of the oldest wines in the chateau's reserves, opened at the end of a vertical tasting at the property. It is a remarkable wine from a remarkable vintage. Clear and mahogany in color, the nose is quite ethereal with Japanese nori, juniper berries, tree bark and black truffles all appearing with outstanding delineation and freshness. The palate is tensile from the start. The weight is indicative of a ripe vintage, suggesting that is must have been a fin de siècle heavyweight Montrose. Now after 123 years, it simply exerts a presence on the sense, gravitas even. There is an initially fish oil note that soon gives way to a Burgundy, more specifically Pommard-like Saint Estèphe whose extant brightness and typicité still shines. After an hour in the glass, it was actually continuing to improve and achieve ever-greater focus and harmony. It is quite simply a magnificent Montrose from a bygone era, still delicious after so many years. Tasted September 2016.