France

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Cabernet Franc

Petit Verdot

Ch. Montrose

Chateau Montrose 2eme Cru Classe Saint-Estephe

Bordeaux

Saint-Estephe

Muscular tannins, bitter chocolate shavings. Feels upright and military, the polar opposite to Cos d'Estournel, in the way that Mouton is so different to Lafite. It's enjoyable, has a long life ahead, still austere at 10 years old, tobacco, cigar, you feel the architecture and the confidence as it sretches out through the palate, successful but reserved. Harvest September 24 to October 20.

Inside Bordeaux

Centropa Restaurant

dmag
Ruby red. Violets, blueberries, cassis, spice and leather. Fresh acidity. Playful. Blueberries, spice, cherries, bell pepper and minerals. Structured with polished tannins. Very long

Drink from now with a decant and until 2060

The 2012 vintage in Bordeaux is just very nice now at 12 years of age. Some need a bit of decanting, but have them with a good steak and tthey sing!

Expert

The 2012 Montrose is medium to deep garnet colored. It needs a little coaxing to draw out scents of baked plums, Christmas cake, and cassis with hints of dried herbs, cracked black pepper, and pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate has taut, muscular black fruits with a firm, grainy texture and an earthy finish. It needs time!

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.

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.

The 2022 Montrose is composed of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, aging in 60% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls to offer a gorgeous perfume of violets, star anise, wilted roses, cumin seed, and garrigue, giving way to a core of blackcurrant pastilles, boysenberry preserves, and kirsch. The full-bodied palate is a firework display of graceful, highly nuanced fruit, featuring mineral, floral, black fruit, and red berry sparks, supported by very firm, super-ripe tannins and incredible freshness, finishing very long, vibrant, and shimmery. The yield was 31 hl/ha and the First Wine represents 50% of the 2022 production. The quality of the press wine was high this year, and 13% was included in the blend. pH 3.78, TPI 85.

A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2021 Montrose is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs some patient swirling to reveal notes of iron ore, mossy tree bark, and chalk dust, leading to a core of fresh blackcurrants, kirsch, and lilacs, plus a hint of pencil shavings. The light to medium-bodied palate is tightly coiled, offering shimmery layers of minerals, black and red berries, and fragrant earth-inspired flavors, supported by a fine-grained texture, finishing with great freshness and length. Impactful!

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.

Ruby red. Scented, floral, detailed, slight minty, cassis and blueberries. Fresh acidity. Velvety and delicate with power and finesse. Lots of blueberries, blackcurrant, cassis, spice and minerals. Polished tannins. Very long. 98-99/100p

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.

Ruby red. Dark and intense with vanilla, spice, blueberries, blackcurrant and minerals. Fresh acidity. Delicate and powerful. Crisp and refreshing. Cherry stones, blackcurrant, blueberries and some red currant. Balanced and very young. Powerful grippy, but polished tannins. Very long.

Drink from 2035-2070

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.

Medium to deep garnet in color, the 2014 Montrose scoots out of the glass with ready-to-go notes of kirsch, redcurrant jelly, and dried blackcurrants plus hints of iron ore, cloves, and nutmeg. The medium-bodied palate delivers a taut, muscular core of black fruit flavors, supported by firm, grainy tannins and a lively line, finishing long and opulent. Truly impressive—bravo!

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.

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

This is up there with the best of the tastings, just nods past the 2009. Less generous perhaps but here you see the beauty and precision of the construction, and the ability to just knock the fruit and tannins out of the park - I love both, but this has the edge in terms of juice, and the Left Bank classicism of bilberry, cassis, olive, mint leaf, graphite, scraping texture and vertical lift on the finish. Jean-Bernard Delmas director.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2009 Montrose prances out with showy notes of blackcurrant preserves, blackberry pie, dark chocolate, anise, and violets with touches of menthol and fallen leaves. The medium to full-bodied is jam packed with impactful black fruit preserves, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with epic length and wonderfully fragrant.

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.

This vintage was very rainy in August and cooler than 2006. The 2007 Montrose is composed of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-brick in color, it waltzes out of the glass with a very compelling perfume of candied violets, dried mulberries, cinnamon stick, and clove oil, leading to a core of redcurrant jelly and stewed plums. The medium-bodied palate delivers impressively ripe, fine-grained tannins with seamless freshness to frame the elegantly layered red and black fruits, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note.

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.

This was an extreme vintage, with very little water and very hot. The 2003 Montrose is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-brick in color, it is a little closed to start off, soon unfurling to deliver evocative creme de cassis, blackberry preserves, and fruitcake scents, giving way to hints of tobacco leaf, new leather, dusty soil, and fennel seed. The medium-bodied palate is completely coated with black fruit and savory layers, supported by firm, chewy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing earthy.

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.

A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2001 Montrose is medium to deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. It opens a little broodily with slowly emerging, mature scents of cigar box, dusty soil, and iron ore, giving way to a core of redcurrant jelly and raspberry preserves, plus a hint of dried sage. The light to medium-bodied palate is mineral-laced and earthy, featuring lightly chewy tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering ferrous note.

Bjørnebær, mørke solbær, tobakk, sedertre, trekrydder, sopp, hint av vanilje, lakris, eukalyptus, egentlig en ganske rød elegant frukt- parfymert stil, med en dyp lukt på nesen. 

Mørk frukt på smak, med preg av solbær, blåbær, jordlig mørke bjørnebær, sedertre, og lakris. Medium syre, med god kosentrasjon. Bra lengde, og lekker finesse. 

Rett fra flasken gir vinen brente kaffebønner, lær og ikke mye frukt på nesen. I munnen fin balanse, med høy syre og en fin ettersmak av samme kaffen som var på nesen. Bra tanningrep, og høy bitende syre. Mangler litt frukt for å være balansert. Fortsatt en strålende vin som vil gjøre seg bra til mat. Etter 10 timer i åpen flaske blir det tydelig at vinen mangler frukt.

Sommelier

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.

The 1996 Montrose is composed of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. This was not a particularly cool vintage, but it was late. There was rain at the beginning of September, so the Chateaux that decided to wait and harvest late made very good wines. The harvest dates at Montrose were 23 September to 6 October. Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, it erupts from the glass with a powerful perfume of redcurrant jelly, blackcurrant pastilles, and kirsch, followed by hints of cast-iron pan, dried sage, and pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is taut with muscular fruit and a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic length and lots of mineral sparks.

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.

Svært stum på nesen, tørr papp og Cognac konfekt. I munnen ganske vandig og mangler frukten.

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.

Luftet 4 timer - beste 90 M til nå - fri for stall og dynge - solbær, strålende fruktsødme, silketekstur, perfekt balansert, enorm lengde (98+)

The 1989 Montrose, from a very warm, dry year, is made from 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-brick in color (holding its color amazingly!) it sky-rockets from the glass with flamboyant notes of black cherry compote, blueberry pie, and blackcurrant jelly, followed by notes of star anise, peonies, crushed rocks, and tar, plus exotic hints of cardamom and cumin seed. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich, opulent, and well structured, delivering firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness to support the generous, wonderfully pure fruit, finishing long and earthy. This is textbook Montrose.

Ruby red with an orange rim. Truffles, leather, spice, pencil shavings and sweet sour berries. Fresh acidity. Playful and elegant. Mature with red currant, spice, leather, figs, crowberries and minerals. Very long.

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.

Perfekt flaske - sublim balanse - mørk, lær, solid grep kombinert med luftig eleganse, diskré stall, driv, sursøte mørke kirsebær, åttito sødme, kunne vært gift med Chez Colins bernaise (95)

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.

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

svak jordlig skogbunn - mørk frukt mot solbær/blåbær - sømløs - silketanniner - ren - medium syre - klassisk bdx (93+) Som skapt for morkler.

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	2012
Country	France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estephe
Bottle	75 cl

Alcohol	13 %
Acid	5,3 %
Sugar	< 3 g/l

Packaging	Glass
Cork type	Naturkork
Selection	Uten utvalg
Wholesaler	Hans A. Flaaten
Carrier	Skanlog AS