Appellations

Dame de Montrose (2nd wine of Montrose) 2017

St Estephe, Second wine

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Tasting Notes

The 2017 La Dame de Montrose is powerful, dense and also a bit rough around the edges. This is an especially hearty vintage for La Dame. In 2017, the Merlots were really affected by the early September rains. Much of the fruit was either bulked out or put into the generic Saint-Estèphe. As a result, Cabernet Sauvignon plays a larger role in the blend than it usually does. It will be interesting to see if the 2017 acquires more finesse in aging. Today, I have my doubts it will. La Dame is 40% of the chateau's production. The blend is 49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot.

Score: 87 - 89 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 May 2018

The 2017 La Dame de Montrose represents 40% of the total production this year. The Merlot, which constitutes nearly half the blend, occupies the driving seat on the nose with copious black cherry, raspberry and cedar scents that blossom in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a ripe, almost confit-like entry. It feels harmonious with fine tannin, perhaps not the length of say the 2014 or 2016 La Dame de Montrose, a little more compact in style at the moment, loosening up and gaining more harmony by the time of my second visit in mid-April. It certainly has pleasing purity and it should drink well over the next decade.

Score: 88 - 90 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2019-2030 Date: 01 May 2018

Composed of 49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2017 La Dame de Montrose is deep garnet-purple colored with a very fragrant nose of violets, lavender and dark chocolate over a core of cassis, Provence herbs and smoked meats. The palate is medium-bodied and very refreshing with ripe, very soft tannins, elegant and refined with a perfumed finish.

Score: 89 - 91 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 27 April 2018

Deep crimson. Much more scented than the Tronquoy-Lalande, lovely dark fruit on the nose. But still with that savoury graphite quality of the grand vin. Fully ripe but not sweet. Even a touch floral. Silky texture, tannins are so supple. Lightish but juicy on the mid palate and with a good balance between fruit and freshness even in this lighter mode.

Score: 16 - 17 Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2022-2030 Date: 27 April 2018

Looking at the second wine of the estate, the 2017 La Dame De Montrose is a Merlot-heavy blend that includes 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This deep, inky-colored effort boasts textbook sweet black cherry, damp earth, tobacco, and hints of flowers in a dark, medium-bodied, impressively concentrated package. It’s impressive.

Score: 90 - 92 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 23 April 2018

A juicy and savory second wine with blackberry, blueberry and wet-earth character. Medium-bodied, tight and silky. Fresh finish.

Score: 91 - 92 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 06 April 2018

The 2017 La Dame de Montrose (second wine) represents 32 percent of the crop and is a 49 percent Merlot, 43 Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 Cabernet Franc, 4 Petit Verdot blend. It's sleek and pure, with a nice iron and sanguine frame around damson plum and cherry fruit.

Score: - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 04 April 2018

A good year for Dame de Montrose, showing extremely well balanced plum and damson fruits, and a lovely texture. There was no frost here, as you would expect from a vineyard so close to the Garonne river. Harvest took place between 12-29 September. 4% Cabernet Franc makes up the blend given here. The cellar is now equipped with over 90 small-sized vats, and this is matured in 30% new oak. 40% of production.

Score: 90 Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2024-2038 Date: 01 April 2018