In Bond Fine Wine. 2009 Château Montrose, Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France. Second Growth • Red Bordeaux in 12x75cl. Top critic score: 100/100 (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 Montrose. This move—aimed at maximising purity and terroir expression — sharpens the focus and enhances quality even further, but has significantly reduced the volume of the Grand Vin produced. Its second wine, Dame de Montrose, usually offers very fair value and early drinkability.
Neal Martin (NM) — 95–97/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 29/03/2010
Representing 72% of production, a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, cropped between 17th September and 5th October, 13.7% alcohol and an IPT of 98 and 3.7 pH. this has a ripe blackberry, boysenberry, oyster shell and briary nose that soars from the glass. Fine definition with a very tangible mineral component. The palate is full-bodied with smooth…
James Suckling (JS) — 100/100 · -, 15/02/2012 · Drink 2022+
Blueberries, currants and Indian spices on the nose follow through to a full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a lovely finish. It's intense and refined. A beauty. It goes on for minutes. Speechless. Better and cleaner than the great 1990. Try in 2022.
Albany Vintners (AV) — 95–98/100 · -, 01/11/2010
Designated the Latour of St Estephe by Robert Parker for its tendency to produce powerful, backward wines, Montrose is one of the great names of Saint Estephe. Recently sold to a French industrialist, Montrose is a consistent top performer, achieving superstar status in previous dry, hot vintages such as 1990 and 2003. 65CS 29M 5CF 1PV. Deep black with crimson rim. Expressive nose of pure blue fr…