Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018
94 Points Wine Enthusiast | The second wine of Chateau Montrose is a major star in its own right. With dense tannins and concentrated black fruits, it has power and richness. The wine’s potential, impressive for a second wine, is very evident in the structure. Drink from 2026.
94 Points James Suckling | Very pretty blackcurrants and blueberries with floral undertones, following through to a full body with layers of ripe, polished tannins and a rich, flavorful finish. Needs time to come around and show itself. Try after 2025.
93 Points Decanter | Visually gorgeous with bright plum colour. Black cherry and damson on the first sip, clear oak influence with flexible but far-reaching tannic structure. Some real tension and balance - no question that this has a long life ahead of it. Juicy also; for a second wine we are right up there. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040
92 Points Robert Parker | The 2018 La Dame de Montrose is a blend of 52% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it springs from the glass with vivacious notions of redcurrant jelly, mulberries, juicy blackberries and stewed plums, giving way to suggestions of underbrush, wild sage and fertile loam. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with bright, expressive black and red berry layers, supported by plush tannin's and tons of freshness, finishing long with a spicy kick.
92+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | Looking first at the second wine of this incredible Saint-Estèphe Château, the 2018 La Dame De Montrose is a blend of 52% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all brought up in 30% new French oak. Lots of blue fruits, sappy herbs, tobacco, violets, and graphite notes all emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a round, concentrated, textured mouthfeel, and enough tannin's to warrant 3-4 years of bottle. A beautiful second wine with lots of Saint-Estèphe character, it will have 15-20 years of longevity.
Winemaker Description
2018 marks an important step in the conversion of our vineyard to organic viticulture. The weather conditions resulted in strong pressure from parasites, requiring extreme vigilance. Vineyard management was complex, therefore, but the direction of our environmental approach was firmly maintained. The fine weather and heat at the end of summer, comparable to 2009, made the vintage, which expressed incredible potential in the cellar.The first tastings show the signs of a very great vintage, a subtle combination of the fruity aromatic profile of the 2009 and the precision of the 2016.
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