Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

Montrose Saint-Estèphe 2001

‘Tasted at the château, the 2001 Montrose is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 24 September and 9 October. It has quite a tightly wound bouquet that either needs a hefty decant or preferably, another 5-6 years in bottle. The scents that can be coaxed are attractive: blackberry, a touch of tar and pencil box, later Indian ink and cedar wood. The palate is medium-bodied with gently gripping tannin, a fine line of acidity and impressive harmony. This gains complexity towards the finish. Tensile, minerally and edgy, this is becoming a highly pleasurable Montrose that will surprise a few people. Sure, it does lack some persistence, however, keep an eye on this. Drink 2016 - 2040.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 93+/100 (Sep 2016)

‘(blend based on 62% cabernet sauvignon) Medium red-ruby. Aromas of roasted plum and nutty oak. Fat, sweet, broad and suave, with gentle flavors of redcurrant, plum and game. Aromatic and gentle in the mouth. Long, ripe finish features substantial but sweet tannins. Lovely claret.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 92/100 (May 2004)

Montrose Saint-Estèphe 2003

‘The 2003 Montrose was served blind in Bordeaux on two occasions. Picked between 11 to 26 September, it is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It remains one of the outstanding wines of a very black and white vintage. Without knowledge of the vintage, I was hesitant to suggest 2003, because though there is clearly fruit intensity locked up inside this Saint Estèphe, it is counterbalanced by the estate's trademark masculinity and austerity. So both on the nose and the palate it reaches this happy medium: pure blackberry, graphite and roasted herbs on the nose, perhaps even more elegant than I have observed on previous bottles. The palate is medium-bodied rather than full bodied with sturdy tannins couched in layers of seamless blackberry and cassis fruit, offset by scents of tobacco and graphite. As usual it has immense length and depth, a Montrose that is really just a few chapters into what is sure to be a longer "book" than many other 2003s. It is not a perfect Montrose, but a couple of hairs' breadth away. Drink 2020 - 2050.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 98/100 (Feb 2017)

‘Good medium-deep ruby-red. Superripe, roasted aromas of black raspberry, chocolate and licorice. Wonderfully dense, sweet and lush, with an early roundness rare for this wine. A monumental St. Estephe with almost confectionery sweetness. Wonderfully horizontal, palate-saturating wine with huge but thoroughly ripe, lush tannins. It's hard to believe that a wine this rich and deep could be carrying just 13.2% alcohol. The only thing missing here is the floral topnote of 2005, but that's a quibble in this baking-hot vintage, as Montrose's cooler, water-retentive clay-rich soil handled the extreme heat and drought as well as any chateau in the Bordeaux region. The final blend is 63% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 96/100 (May 2006)

Montrose Saint-Estèphe 2004

‘Tasted at the château, the 2004 Montrose is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 24 September and 15 October. It has a foursquare but precise bouquet that unfolds in the glass to offer brambly red berry fruit, tar, undergrowth and cedar aromas. There is a touch of mint that emerges with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with tannins that gently grip. It is more savory than other vintages: hints of bacon fat and bell pepper towards the harmonious finish that lingers nicely in the mouth. Probably earlier drinking that other vintages, yet this Montrose has personality and will give drinking pleasure for 15-20 years. Drink 2016 - 2036.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 92/100 (Sep 2016)

‘Deep, bright ruby-red. Sexy, ripe aromas of currant, black plum, raspberry, smoked meat, mocha, jasmine, black olive and earth. Smooth in texture but vinous and bright, with a penetrating character to the flavors of plum, currant, mocha and tobacco. Finishes bright and fresh, with dusty, tactile tannins and a classic St. Estephe medicinal note. This tightened up with aeration.’ – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 91/100 (May 2007)