France

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Cabernet Franc

Petit Verdot

Ch. Montrose

Chateau Montrose 2eme Cru Classe Saint-Estephe

Bordeaux

Saint-Estephe

Gorgeously dark and vibrant fruit, with gunsmoke and campfire, concentrated cassis and blackberry pastille, grilled almond, saffron and pomegrante, luscious but measured, showing the inky character that seems to be at the heart of the best Cabernets of this vintage, with their ripe but not overly exuberant classicism. Organic conversion, to be certified 2025. The first vintage this 1st wine of Montrose is coming only from the section of the vineyard located on Terrace 4 of the Médoc gravel banks that line the Garonne river along the peninsula. Following soil studies from Pierre Becheler, this comprises 35% of the overall production in 2023, or 45ha of vines, and is the historic heart of the property. Pierre Grafeuille director, Vincent Decup technical director.

Inside Bordeaux

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Montrose gallops out of the glass with intense scents of crushed blackcurrants, fresh blackberries, and raspberries along with nuances of licorice, crushed rocks, and mossy tree bark plus a hint of iron ore. The medium-bodied palate has impressive tension and tight-knit black and red berry flavors intertwined with mineral accents, framed by fine-grained tannins, finishing long and sparkly. The first wine accounted for only 35% of the estate's production this year. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.70.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

Beautifully deep colour, this shows chalk, violet flowers, peony, fragrant and enticing floral profile compared to so many in the vintage, this is excellent, cocoa bean, cassis, depth, layers and concentration - one of the wines of the vintage. 15% press wine, a little more than usual. Harvest 23 September to 8 October, Pierre Grafeuille estate director.

The intensity and the depth of expression is clear from the start, with ripe damson and fig fruits, incense and espresso given balance and tension by pomegrante, slate, lemongrass and mandarin rind. Unrolls to show the depth and class of Montrose, has density without shouting, keeping the estate signature and character. The first full vintage for Pierre Grafeuille as estate director, working alongside long time technical director Vincent Decup. 12% press wine, pretty much exactly the same as ever, this really is a vineyard that delivers consistency.

Extremely impressive, this lives up to En Primeur expectations. Cloves, sandalwood, liqourice, fennel, cracked black pepper, and a ton of juicy cassis and blueberry fruit. Delicious, with well-defined tannic architecture and plenty of potential to deliver for 15 to 20 years. 55% new oak. Pierre Grafeuille director, working alongside his predecessor Herbé Berland for most of this vintage.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Montrose strides confidently out of the glass with classic scents of cassis, pencil shavings, and plum preserves followed by wafts of violets, tilled soil, and tapenade with a touch of wood smoke. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with loads of black fruit and savory layers and a firm, grainy texture, finishing with epic length and a refreshing lift.

Gorgeous rich colour here, a lovely wine full of pleasure. Chocolate, mocha, cappuccino, lots of toasted oak, great quality, with concentrated black fruits along with slate, crushed stone, smoked earth - measured, confident, delicious. I have tasted this a few times this year, and it has consistently been punching at the very top of its game. A no-brainer to recommend. 12% press wine, 47hl/ha yield, 60% new oak.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Montrose comes bounding out with powerful notes of blackcurrant cordial, chocolate-covered cherries, blueberry compote, and red roses, followed by scents of Indian spices, graphite, and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is full-on concentrated and decadent, yet has a beautifully crafted structure of firm, fine-grained tannins and balancing freshness, finishing long and spicy.

The 2017 Montrose is composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet in color, it skips out of the glass with bright, vibrant, and wonderfully pure notes of kirsch, redcurrant jelly, fresh blackcurrants, and black raspberries, leading to a fragrant undercurrent of lilacs, licorice, underbrush, and allspice. The medium-bodied palate is so bright and elegant, with jaw-dropping intensity and firm, fine-grained tannins, finishing with impressive length and energy.

A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Montrose is deep garnet-purple in color. It comes tearing out of the glass with rambunctious scents of creme de cassis, juicy blackberries, and blueberry pie, leading to hints of menthol, dark chocolate, licorice, and tree bark with a touch of crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate is chock full of bright black fruits with loads of spicy sparks and a firm, wonderfully velvety texture, finishing long and energetic.

With a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Montrose has a deep garnet color. It comes bounding out of the glass with ready-to-play notes of crushed blackberries, Morello cherries, and blackcurrant cordial, plus wafts of lilacs, Chinese five spice, and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a lively backbone and grainy tannins to successfully support the gregarious black and red berry flavors, finishing long with a spicy kick.

Noticeably younger than many in its tannic structure and fruit concentration, this has a ton of lift and a ton of slate-filled tannic grip. A stately St Esèphe, entirely in keeping with the character of this wine, lovers of classical, balalanced, concentrated Montrose will want to get hold of this - and it is just about ready to begin drinking, although zero risk of it tipping too far into tertiary over the next decade. It has delivered every time I've tasted it, and really shows itself well in a lineup against other 2014s. Harvest September 22 to October 16. Hervé Berland director.

This was a cool, rainy, and very challenging vintage! The 2013 Montrose is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, with pH 3.49. Medium garnet in color, it leaps from the glass with notes of cherry cordial, licorice, cast-iron pan, and raspberry coulis, leading to wafts of rose oil and espresso. The medium-bodied palate is bright and refreshing, with grainy, well-managed tannins and plenty of perfume to give a lingering finish. This a very impressive wine from such a difficult vintage.

Mørke plommer, solbær, sorte jordbær, sorte  lakris- toner og integrert eukalyptus.

Smak av mørke jordbær, syrlige solbær, lakris, sorte jordbær. Tette tanniner med høy syre. Mangler noe balanse, og noe konsentrasjon. Ok+ lengde. 

Expert

Solbær, blåbær, pepper, nellik, aske, jernbanesviller, kanel og vanilje. Kompleks, dyp  og passe utviklet. Blomstret godt etter 2-3 timer. Drikker godt nå. Ettersmaken sitter veldig lenge.
93-94p

Ruby red. Exotic nose with spice, power, dark berries towards cassis, blueberries amd blackcurrant. Elegant. Fresh acidity. Vibrant and playful with dark fruit and berries. Quite dense. Blueberries, cherries and blackcurrant. Layered and velvety with a massiv structure of polished tannins. Very long.

Drink from 2030-2065

Cuts right to the heart of great St Estèphe, dark fleshy fruits, ambitious, just a touch of exuberance, but held back by bitter black chocolate, espresso, olive tapenade, eucalyptus, mint leaf, blackberry and damson fruits. Right up there showcasing what 2009 can offer Jean Bernard Delmas was director at the time, and he is bringing some First Growth magic. Can be opened now with a long carafe, but is built to last.

There was rain in September this year, and then a lot more rain in October. Veraison was late and uneven, resulting in a late harvest from 29 September to 15 October. "We had to wait until October for the Cabernet Sauvignon to reach good phenolic maturity." The 2008 Montrose is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, and is deep garnet in color with a touch of brick at the rim. After a swirl or two, a classic nose of creme de cassis and cigar box emerges, fanning out to offer notes of dried roses, incense, star anise, and pencil shavings. The medium-bodied palate has a sturdy structure of chewy tannins and plenty of freshness to support the maturing black fruit and mineral layers, finishing on a ferrous note.

Ruby red. Delicate nose with exotic spice, blackcurrant, cassis, leather and light tobacco. Fresh acidity. Blueberries, blackcurrant, leather and minerals. Structured. Long.

The 2007 vintage was wet and cold. Were it not for the warm September the whole vintage might have been lost. Some years ago I am guessing that several Châteaus would not even have made wine.

The 2007 Montrose is quite nice now, but no rush. Drink now or over the next 15 years or so?

This is the first vintage with the new owners. Jean-Bernard Delmas started with this vintage and drastically reduced the amount of wine going into the Grand Vin. The 2006 Montrose, 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot, is deep garnet-brick in color. It rolls out of the glass with mature, ready-to-go scents of blackcurrant jelly, dried cherries, and mulberries, leading to wafts of incense, iron ore, wild thyme, and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate offers a good amount of black fruit and savory layers with a chewy texture and alluring tension, finishing long and minerally. This should age gracefully for another 15 years+.

This was the last vintage for the Charmolue family - Jean-Bernard Delmas oversaw the elevage of this wine. Deep garnet in color with a touch of brick at the rim, the 2005 Montrose is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. After a little shaking, the nose erupts with a fantastic perfume of blackcurrant pastilles, kirsch, raisin cake, and forest floor, leading to hints of aniseed, cracked black pepper, and unsmoked cigars. The medium-bodied palate has a rock-solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing very long and minerally.

Ruby red with a garnet rim. Delicate nose with exotic spice, blackcurrant, blueberries, leather, cedar wood, mint and minerals. Fresh acidity. Vibrant and playful with cherry stones, blueberries, raspberries, leather and spice. Nice balance and structure with early integrated tannins. Long.

Had this with filet mignon on the BBQ. Up to 54C before resting. A superb match with a good Bordeaux. I purchased this bottle in 2010 and it has rested in the cellar since then. At the time it was about 50 €. Looking back, I should have purchased more than the 24 bottles I purchased 🙈🙈.

Anyway. This is the best bottle so far and it is now in its early stage of maturity.

Drink from now (with a good decant) or over the next 25 years.

@LaTupina. Chateau Montrose 2003 magnum. Dekantert 3 timer. Sjokkerende fresh. Sex in a bottle. Frisk frukt herfra til evigheten. En gedigen opptur etter mange 2003 med svak friskhet. Hvordan har Montrose klart dette? Alt i perfekt balanse. Frisk og god å drikke nå, men frukt nok for de neste 50-60 år. Perfekt drikke til La Tupinas Cote de boeff. 99 poeng uten at jeg vet hva jeg trekker for.

A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2002 Montrose is medium to deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. It needs a little coaxing to bring out mature scents of tobacco leaf, new leather, damp soil, and dried herbs, leading to a core of prunes and dried cherries, plus a hint of dusty soil. The light to medium-bodied palate is elegant and refreshing, with herbal sparks lifting the savory and dried berry flavors to a long, chewy finish.

Ruby red. Spice, leather, tobacco, blackcurrant and minerals. Fresh acidity. Playful. Dark berries, leather and cedar wood. Balanced. Nice integrated tannins. Very long.

Drink from 2021-2050

Chateau Montrose Saint-Estephe It contains 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The nose is intensely fruity with blackcurrant and a little raspberry, and there is cedar, charcoal and oil shale. It is very complex and appealing. 

The palate is intensely fruity and acidic in a fine balance. The tannins are noticeable but elegant and well integrated. The finish is very long and complex. 

It is beautiful now, but will develop further over the next 20 years. This was bottle number 2 since the first was corked.

This was a rainy vintage but not so cold. The rains came late in the season, so earlier-ripening terroirs did well. Harvest at Montrose was from 16 September to 1 October. The 1999 Montrose is made from 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-brick in color, it needs a little swirling to bring out notes of damp soil, wet slate, anise, and dried sage, giving way to a core of plum pudding, fruitcake, and sweaty leather with a waft of tobacco. The medium-bodied palate delivers a good mouthful of expressive black fruits with firm, chewy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy.

Fin nese på den jordlige siden, masse stall, og litt volatil. I munnen overraskende ren, åpen givende frukt mot sol- og blåbær. Ikke en svært intens vin, men rund og svært sjarmerende. Fine og markante tanniner som holder vinen sammen. Bedre i munnen enn på nesen. Etter 10 timer i åpen flaske er nesen fortsatt på samme spor, men nå med mer brett. I munnen flott konsentrert frukt. Bra lengde.

Sommelier

drukket blindt på smaking. 

Identifiserer lett at dette er bdx-blendt, men kjennes vesentlig yngre ut enn 1996. 
Gir både litt blyant, solbær, lær, og litt kjøtt på nesen, litt vanilje med varmen og litt rosépepper. I munnen er dette ganske så primært med mest frukt og litt vanilje med lær og skogbunn. God syre og fortsatt gode tanniner på denne. Høy konsentrasjon og lang ettersmak. Ville foretrukket et stykke tørrhengt kjøtt til dette, litt krevende for u.t å drikke alene. Men en vellaget og digg vin.

Medium garnet-brick in color, the 1995 Montrose swans out of the glass with maturing notes of cigar box, prunes, dried cherries, and boysenberry preserves, followed by hints of new leather, Sichuan pepper, and graphite. The elegantly styled, light-bodied palate is soft-textured and refreshing, with nuanced black and red berry preserves layers and a soft-spoken, savory finish.

Ganske lukket rett fra flasken, minner om 96 og 95 men med et lite mer grønt preg. I munnen fin frukt som er tettere og mørkere enn de to forrige, en mer balansert vin enn 96, 95 med fin syrlighet mot den mørke og sødmefulle frukten. Mangler litt kompleksitet. Masse blyantkvess, hylle- og skogsbær, hvit pepper, i munnen syrlige hyllebær.

The 1993 Montrose is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot. Almost 200 mm of rain fell in September this year, and harvest finished 5 October. Medium brick in color, it strolls out of the glass with surprisingly youthful scents of cassis, black cherry compote, and raspberry leaves, followed by suggestions of dusty soil, tobacco leaf, and powdered cinnamon with a waft of crushed rocks. The light to medium-bodied palate delivers a soft, silken texture and compelling tension to support the elegant dried berries and savory flavors, finishing long and minerally.

Nesen er floral mot det grønne, samt jordlig. Ingen mørk frukt eller dybde i denne nesen. I munnen røde syrlige bær, oppleves lett og litt vandig. Grei syre.

Nesen gir melkesjokolade og bjørnebær. Med luft litt aske og Sigar. I munnen litt volatil syre, fin fruktmodning som de øvrige 90. Bedre konsentrasjon en 92. Bra syre. Merker fortsatt at det ikke er topp fruktkvalitet eller konsentrasjon fra en god årgang.

Så utrolig elegant nese, lagvis og vanskelig å ta noe konkret da nesen utvikler seg løpende. Men klar ren solbærsfrukt, litt søt tobakk, aske og brett er å finne i aromabilde. Svært ren og ungdommelig nese, selv om det er en del brett på nesen. I munnen en ekstremt fyldig vin som har en perfekt balanse, strålende syrlighet som møter moden søt solbærsfrukt. Rå lengde. En stor vin på alle måter, men en flott sømløshet gjør dette til en fantastisk vin. Stor men ikke tung. Intens.

Mørk og rustikk nese med innslag av tobakk og hengt kjøtt. I munnen intens, fokusert, bra balanse med strålende syrlige og sødmefulle bær. Strukturert og deilig taningrep. Jeg synes vinen manglet litt friskhet.

Svært ungdommelig nese, med masse dyp mørk primærfrukt og nybrent kaffe. Nesten en burgundsk eleganse over nesen. I munnen svært dyp, konsentrert og mørk frukt. Flott syre og fine tanniner som er markante men ikke tørrende. Kompleks. Strukturert og intens.

Bright ruby with a garnet rim. Leather, tobacco, cigar, figs and dates. Fresh acidity. Playful with tobacco, cigar case, some cassis, figs and minerals. Balanced with a nice structure. Very long

Drink from 2021-2035(+)

stor variasjon på duft over tid - fjøs gikk mot mørke florale toner og gammelt skap, solbær, rustikk - sursøt frukt, jordlig, kalkaktige tanniner - balansert - pen fruktdrevet finish - burde vært decantert lenge? (90+?)

Mye friskere frukt enn flaske 1 og hvor frukten går mot solbær. Noe brett, stall og høy. I munnen følger den rene frukten opp. Solbær. Topp syre og flotte tanniner, mineralsk, balansert.

Dag to, etter en natt i åpen flaske med ca 1 dl igjen i flasken, var denne vinen fortsatt svært flott, brett aromaene har roet seg ned, men det er fortsatt noe stall og lær på nesen. Syrlig kaffe og syrligere frukt mot nype. Balansert. Deilige tanniner som legger seg som et slør i munnen. Forsvarer poengsummen fra dagen før.

Klassisk bordeaux, mot det stramme. Ikke særlig fruktdreven, og noe sedertre og teak benk. I munnen en stor vin, masse pepper, mocca, kaffe og strålende kjølig solbærsfrukt. Bra lengde, fin syre, og slør tanniner.

ungdommelig nese, skogsbær, sutikk og jordlig, i munnen et strålende munngrep, ekstremt flott og intens syre som er helt gripende, fortsatt en flott og overraskende primær mørk frukt som holder balansen, medium + tanniner som er svært delikate selv om gripende. Strålende vin. Rustikk og kraftig.

På nesen kjeller og melkesjokolade. Litt uren nese hvor det også er noe støvete. Askebeger og gamle skinnsko, På smak mangler vinen frukt og fremstår litt inntørket, fin syre, men ubalansert.

The 1970 Montrose is pale to medium tawny in color. Fragrant notes of Jasmine tea, dried cherries, and cranberries spill from the glass, leading to touches of rose oil, tobacco, and leather. Light to medium-bodied, the palate is lively and layered, featuring a whole firework display of mineral sparks with a powdery texture and perfumed finish.

På nesen gir vinen fløtekaramell og støvete kjeller. I munnen mangler det meste unntatt syre. Masse tanniner.

En nese som gir jern, skogbunn, tobakk o noe jordlig. Flott vin i munnen, luftig med strålende frukt. Dag to og vinen gir ingen strålende nese, litt volatil og har tapt seg. Imponerende hvordan frukten fortsatt holder stan i munnen. På alle måter en bedre vin den første dagen, men imponerende hvordan denne holder seg neste dag. Bekrefter at “strålende frukt” betegnelsen den første dagen nok ikke var helt off. 93p første dag.

Elegant nese, mørk frukt, kaffe, slipte tanniner, strålende lengde

servert blindt. Støvete og litt off på nesen. Aske, hengt kjøtt, kaffe og mocca. I munnen syrlige røde bær, fin syre, mangler lengde og fruktkvalitet.

The 1956 vintage was significantly cooler than average, and nearly 150 mm of rain fell in St Estephe in July. Pale to medium brick in color, the 1956 Montrose opens with a pronounced perfume of incense, cigar box, and iron ore, giving way to a core of dried cranberries, kirsch, and raisin cake with touches of rose oil, dried lavender, and Provence herbs. The light-bodied palate is wonderfully pure and bright, with a refreshing backbone and powdery tannins supporting the delicate red berry and perfumed layers, finishing long and minerally. The purity of fruit and floral notes here is truly remarkable!

servert blindt. Aske og hengt kjøtt, i munnen en fin middels konsentrasjon hvor frukten går mot gule frukter og hyllebær. Fin syre, men vinen er totalt sett ganske sliten.

Stor vin - rødfrukt - normal vin mot 1870 - saltaktig - murstein - lakris - perfekt balanse - støvete tanniner - meget lang 

veldig fin nese med Earl Gray te og nyper. Litt volatilitet i aromabilde, men ikke for mye. I munnen masse jern, fortsatt tilstedeværende frukt, blitt litt gammel, men frukten var virkelig bra. Ga den umiddelbart 91p, men er nok mer en 85er.

This was a hot, dry, early vintage - harvest in Burgundy was reputed to start on 3 August! The summer in Bordeaux was particularly hot, with more than 1 month over 30 degrees Celsius, and the harvest began in in mid-August. The 1893 Montrose is pale brick in color with an amber rim. The nose hits the ground running, delivering powerful scents of iron ore, dried strawberries, red licorice, and cranberries, with wafts of dried roses, cigar box, new leather, camphor, and Sichuan pepper. The medium-bodied palate possesses an impressive amount of fruit with surprising viscosity contributed by the plush tannins, which have melted remarkably into the rich fruit. A refreshing backbone superbly defines the pure red berry, earth, and exotic spice notes in the mouth and carries them to a very long finish. I've had a lot of 19th-century bottles that were well-preserved and “interesting” to taste but none as delicious to drink as this - incredible! Wow. Just, wow.

En bemerkelsesverdig vin - viser ikke «normal» frukt - mer som en konsentrert te med snev av kirsebær, ørlite gammelt skap, balansert, null oksidasjon, usedvanlig lang med noe edeltre på finish - sært og utfordrende

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Ch. Montrose
Vintages	2023
Country	France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estephe
Bottle	75 cl

Alcohol	%
Acid	%
Sugar	g/l

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