In Bond Fine Wine. 2003 Château Montrose, Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France. Second Growth • Red Bordeaux in 12x75cl. Top critic score: 99/100 (RP). Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Second Growth Chateau Montrose is superbly situated overlooking and sloping down to the Gironde estuary. The soil is deep gravels over clay, making wines which tended to be austere and tannic in youth, but are some of the most profound & longlived in the Medoc. Montrose was nicknamed the "Latour of Saint-Estephe" due to its power and concentration, with particular successes in dry, hot years. Legendary wines were made here in 1959, 1961, 1989, 1990, 2003, 2009, 2010. Under the ownership of the billionaire Bouygues brothers since 2006, the Chateau has become a showcase for sustainable development, transformed by a geothermal system and rooftop solar panels. A benchmark for Saint Estephe, Montrose has now adopted a new policy of limiting the Grand Vin exclusively to grapes grown on the original 1855-classified 45-hectare plot directly in front of the chateau - the historic heart of Montro…
James Suckling (JS) — 95/100 · Wine Spectator, 31/03/2006 · Drink 2011+
Dark color. Aromas of blackberry, toasted oak, spice and tobacco. Loads of plum. Medium- to full-bodied, with very integrated and refined tannins. Long. This really builds on the palate. This is better than the 2000 and 1990. Only time will tell if it's better than the 1989. Best after 2011. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 15,830 cases made.
Robert Parker (RP) — 100/100 · Hedonists Gazette, robertparker.com, 31/01/2009 · Drink 2009-2049
In total contrast was the young, enormously endowed, potentially monumental 2003 Chateau Montrose. Inky purple to the rim, with amazing concentration, high but noble, sweet tannins, this is entirely too young to drink, but I enjoyed it and think, along with the 1990 and 1989, it is one of the three greatest wines I have ever tasted from Montrose. It has at least 30-40 years of life ahead of it an…
Robert Parker (RP) — 97/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 30/04/2006 · Drink 2010-2035
The enormous 2003 Montrose is built along the lines of the 1989 rather than the 1990. It boasts a dense black/purple color in addition to an extraordinary bouquet of scorched earth, blackberries, and cassis, fabulous purity, a skyscraper-like texture, and substantial tannin in the finish. This superb, huge, ripe wine is one of the vintage's most prodigious offerings. However, patience will be ess…