Montrose 2014

St Estephe, Second Growth

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Tasting Notes
The 2014 Montrose has a bouquet that exudes class and sophistication: pure and mineral-driven black fruit, cedar and pencil lead, hints of blueberry developing with aeration although it never impedes upon the sense of terroir. The palate is medium-bodied with graphite-tinged black fruit, filigree tannin, a sweet core of blackberry and boysenberry fruit with a satin-like texture towards the finish. There is obviously some high quality oak used here, but it is simpatico with the fruit. For Montrose, you might argue that this is more modern in style and yet it is undeniably crafted with real panache to create a modern classic. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Score: 96 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2055 01 March 2018
Tasted at the château, the 2014 Montrose builds on the promise it showed in barrel with gorgeous blackberry, raspberry, cedar and orange sorbet scents that are extremely pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very precise acidity and layers of crisp black fruit laced with vanilla from the new oak at the moment. That will be subsumed in time. What you have here is a very precise, multi-layered, almost sensual Montrose that is going to delight many for years to come. This is highly recommended one of the finest Left Bank wines this vintage. Tasted September 2016. Score: 96 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2024-2050 31 March 2017
The Château Montrose 2014 is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that represents 47% of the total production. It was picked from mid-September via five or six tries through the vineyard. The aromatics represent a clear step in quality from the second wine, attired with far more precision and focus, much more purity with scents of blackberry, boysenberry and blue fruit, now with touches of violet and vanilla. It is beautifully defined and actually, at least at this juncture, closely aligned with Cos d’Estournel 2014. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin that underpin layers of pure mineral-rich black fruit. There is an enthralling sense of energy and precision here and it fans out remarkably on the finish. Dare I say, this is one grand vin that comes perilously close to matching the heights of the 2009 and 2010. This is a brilliant Montrose, one of the best you will find on the Left Bank this vintage. Tasted on five separate occasions, twice at the château. Score: 95 - 97 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2045 01 April 2015
I loved the 2014 Montrose and it has an incredible purity and elegance that sets it apart from its peers. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it offers a deeper, richer profile with gorgeous cassis and currant fruits intermixed with licorice, chocolate, graphite and beautiful minerality. A spitting image of class on the palate, with fine tannin, integrated acidity, and medium to full-bodied richness, this terrific 2014 is up with the crème de la crème of the Médoc and keep for two to three decades. In this critic’s opinion, Château Montrose is at the top of the pyramid in terms of quality in Saint-Estèphe. They’ve produced some of the best wines in the vintage from the northern Médoc in 2015, and possibly the wine of the vintage in 2016. Score: 95 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Maturity: 2020-2050 30 November 2017
Incredible aromas of currants, blackberries, slate and flowers. Full-bodied yet so tight and beautiful with superb polish and brightness. The length is fantastic. Truly superb. Drink in 2021. Score: 97 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2021+ 13 February 2017
This is a fabulous young red with blackberries, currants and wet earth. Full body, firm tannins. Very long finish. It really takes off. Score: 94 - 95 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 23 March 2015
The 2014 Montrose is without question one of the standout wines of the vintage. Black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and lavender are some of the many aromas and flavors that open up in the glass. But the 2014 is a much deeper wine than just a bunch of descriptors can conjure. In 2014, Montrose is a wine of exceptional finesse and polish. The late-ripening vintage allowed for perfect maturation of the tannins and resulted in a silky wine that exudes class and pedigree. The 2014 is not an obvious or bombastic Montrose, but rather a wine of sublime enchantment. Don't miss it! Score: 97 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2024-2054 01 February 2017
The 2014 Montrose is one of the most intriguing wines of the vintage. An elegant, beautifully layered wine, the 2014 Montrose comes across as incredibly silky and polished. The typical Montrose power, richness and breath take a backseat to a total sense of refinement, as the 2014 is a remarkably nuanced and noble wine. Beams of acidity and minerality give the finish its salivating energy and brightness. Given that Montrose is slow to develop, my sense is that the 2014 is not ready to show all of its cards just yet. Today, it's all about potential, and there is plenty of that here. Sweet red cherry plum, dried flowers and spices are some of the notes that are laced into the exquisite, alluring finish. The blend is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that represents 47% of the total production. (93-96+ Points) Score: 93 - 96 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 01 April 2015
This is seriously built, with an admirable core of red and black currant paste and bitter plum fruit inlaid with notes of tobacco, bay and smoldering charcoal. The finish is ramrod straight thanks to an iron girder supporting everything with ease. A tremendous effort for the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2035. Score: 95 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2020-2035 05 January 2017
As sleek and tightly coiled as they come, with wonderful purity and cut to the red and black currant and red and black cherry fruit. The long iron spine is thoroughly embedded and a gorgeous echo of charcoal lingers at the very end of the lightly pebbly finish. Everything finally seems to be coming together here. Score: 94 - 97 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 01 April 2015
Inky colour. Steely black fruit on the nose with a hint of mineral and tarry richness. One of the most concentrated wines in 2014, displaying power and richness of fruit with plenty of finely textured tannins and ground coffee leading to a very long, pure, vibrant finish. A fantastic example of the vintage and equally, a classic Montrose. Score: 95 - 97 Albany Vintners, - 24 April 2015
Very muted nose. Seems rich and heavy but not that expressive aromatically. Big and bold and ambitious with a good balance between fruit and tannins. Acid reasonably well in check. And very definitely St-Estèphe. Pretty brutal - without the charm and glamour of Cos - but probably very true to the archetype. Good tannin management but nothing at all confected or too modern. Inky finish. Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2024-2040 15 April 2015

Tasting Notes

The 2014 Montrose has a bouquet that exudes class and sophistication: pure and mineral-driven black fruit, cedar and pencil lead, hints of blueberry developing with aeration although it never impedes upon the sense of terroir. The palate is medium-bodied with graphite-tinged black fruit, filigree tannin, a sweet core of blackberry and boysenberry fruit with a satin-like texture towards the finish. There is obviously some high quality oak used here, but it is simpatico with the fruit. For Montrose, you might argue that this is more modern in style and yet it is undeniably crafted with real panache to create a modern classic. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Score: 96

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2055 01 March 2018

Tasted at the château, the 2014 Montrose builds on the promise it showed in barrel with gorgeous blackberry, raspberry, cedar and orange sorbet scents that are extremely pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very precise acidity and layers of crisp black fruit laced with vanilla from the new oak at the moment. That will be subsumed in time. What you have here is a very precise, multi-layered, almost sensual Montrose that is going to delight many for years to come. This is highly recommended one of the finest Left Bank wines this vintage. Tasted September 2016.

Score: 96

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2024-2050 31 March 2017

The Château Montrose 2014 is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that represents 47% of the total production. It was picked from mid-September via five or six tries through the vineyard. The aromatics represent a clear step in quality from the second wine, attired with far more precision and focus, much more purity with scents of blackberry, boysenberry and blue fruit, now with touches of violet and vanilla. It is beautifully defined and actually, at least at this juncture, closely aligned with Cos d’Estournel 2014. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin that underpin layers of pure mineral-rich black fruit. There is an enthralling sense of energy and precision here and it fans out remarkably on the finish. Dare I say, this is one grand vin that comes perilously close to matching the heights of the 2009 and 2010. This is a brilliant Montrose, one of the best you will find on the Left Bank this vintage. Tasted on five separate occasions, twice at the château.

Score: 95 - 97

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2045 01 April 2015

I loved the 2014 Montrose and it has an incredible purity and elegance that sets it apart from its peers. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it offers a deeper, richer profile with gorgeous cassis and currant fruits intermixed with licorice, chocolate, graphite and beautiful minerality. A spitting image of class on the palate, with fine tannin, integrated acidity, and medium to full-bodied richness, this terrific 2014 is up with the crème de la crème of the Médoc and keep for two to three decades. In this critic’s opinion, Château Montrose is at the top of the pyramid in terms of quality in Saint-Estèphe. They’ve produced some of the best wines in the vintage from the northern Médoc in 2015, and possibly the wine of the vintage in 2016.

Score: 95

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Maturity: 2020-2050 30 November 2017

Incredible aromas of currants, blackberries, slate and flowers. Full-bodied yet so tight and beautiful with superb polish and brightness. The length is fantastic. Truly superb. Drink in 2021.

Score: 97

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2021+ 13 February 2017

This is a fabulous young red with blackberries, currants and wet earth. Full body, firm tannins. Very long finish. It really takes off.

Score: 94 - 95

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 23 March 2015

The 2014 Montrose is without question one of the standout wines of the vintage. Black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and lavender are some of the many aromas and flavors that open up in the glass. But the 2014 is a much deeper wine than just a bunch of descriptors can conjure. In 2014, Montrose is a wine of exceptional finesse and polish. The late-ripening vintage allowed for perfect maturation of the tannins and resulted in a silky wine that exudes class and pedigree. The 2014 is not an obvious or bombastic Montrose, but rather a wine of sublime enchantment. Don't miss it!

Score: 97

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2024-2054 01 February 2017

The 2014 Montrose is one of the most intriguing wines of the vintage. An elegant, beautifully layered wine, the 2014 Montrose comes across as incredibly silky and polished. The typical Montrose power, richness and breath take a backseat to a total sense of refinement, as the 2014 is a remarkably nuanced and noble wine. Beams of acidity and minerality give the finish its salivating energy and brightness. Given that Montrose is slow to develop, my sense is that the 2014 is not ready to show all of its cards just yet. Today, it's all about potential, and there is plenty of that here. Sweet red cherry plum, dried flowers and spices are some of the notes that are laced into the exquisite, alluring finish. The blend is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that represents 47% of the total production. (93-96+ Points)

Score: 93 - 96

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 01 April 2015

This is seriously built, with an admirable core of red and black currant paste and bitter plum fruit inlaid with notes of tobacco, bay and smoldering charcoal. The finish is ramrod straight thanks to an iron girder supporting everything with ease. A tremendous effort for the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2035.

Score: 95

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2020-2035 05 January 2017

As sleek and tightly coiled as they come, with wonderful purity and cut to the red and black currant and red and black cherry fruit. The long iron spine is thoroughly embedded and a gorgeous echo of charcoal lingers at the very end of the lightly pebbly finish. Everything finally seems to be coming together here.

Score: 94 - 97

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 01 April 2015

Inky colour. Steely black fruit on the nose with a hint of mineral and tarry richness. One of the most concentrated wines in 2014, displaying power and richness of fruit with plenty of finely textured tannins and ground coffee leading to a very long, pure, vibrant finish. A fantastic example of the vintage and equally, a classic Montrose.

Score: 95 - 97

Albany Vintners, - 24 April 2015

Very muted nose. Seems rich and heavy but not that expressive aromatically. Big and bold and ambitious with a good balance between fruit and tannins. Acid reasonably well in check. And very definitely St-Estèphe. Pretty brutal - without the charm and glamour of Cos - but probably very true to the archetype. Good tannin management but nothing at all confected or too modern. Inky finish.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2024-2040 15 April 2015

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