(January 29, 2020) … During a podcast recording for Two Guys Talking Wine, I brought in a double helping of Montgras Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – I found them side by side in the cellar, thinking they were the same wine. I wanted to drink just one, but when I looked at them I noticed they were different vintages and had just been “mis-allocated” in the cellar hierarchy … seemed like a perfect opportunity to try them both:
Starting with the 2005 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon … red licorice, subtle mint, juicy red fruit, cherry Jolly Ranchers candy and good acidity – but it’s the juiciness that stood out, for a 15 year old wine to have that much mouthwatering and tasty fruit seemed to almost defy both description and probability.
With high hopes we opened the 2006 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon next … earthy, black fruit, older smell, feel and taste then the 2005; hints of cedar and smoke dominated, with dried fruit from start to finish and the dried mint leaves left a more herbaceous note behind on the finish.
We then had an idea inspired by my friend Dave in Michigan, who is famous for his “Dave-o-tage” at the end of a multi-wine night (combines all viable wines left into one blend). We combined both wines and it worked wonders: the 2006 added a backbone to the fruitiness of the 2005.
I have no more of these wines, but if you have either kicking around in your cellar (and according to CellarTracker there is some still around) … the 2005 is the winner, if you have both, decant them into the same vessel together and you’ll have one great magnum.