Tasted at the chateau, the 2006 Montviel is matured on the nose with degraded red cherry and kirsch aromas, moving into secondary aromas territory with touches of singed leather and undergrowth aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannin, fully matured but still offering pleasure with touches of sour cherry, white pepper and garrigue-like notes on the finish. Considering this is already ten-years-old, this deserves a round of applause. Tasted April 2016.

Very pretty aromas of ripe fruit and tobacco, with just a hint of spices. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a juicy aftertaste of light toasty oak and berry. A tiny bit short. Best from 2011 through 2015. 1,665 cases made. -JS