Château Montrose
La Dame de Montrose Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Estèphe, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
This was a check-in to see how ready my 2000 Montrose’s are doing. A good check.
This is absolutely a close relative of the 2nd Growth Montrose. The thing that experience has taught me is, Montrose is a long in the tooth producer. As well, the 2000 Bordeaux vintage mimics that completely.
I would say the 2000 Montrose is finally ready with a longish decant.
This is completely classic Bordeaux and Saint-Estèphe.
The nose shows ripe, lush, nearly candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, back/stewed dark cherries, strawberries & raspberry hues. Both dark & milk chocolate to pudding, dry twig/soils, dark rich soils, dry river stone, dark & mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, softly layered baking spices, limestone/sandstone, black tea, used leather & tobacco, black olive tapenade, light cedar, semi-used charcoal, dark, red fresh & slightly withering flowers.
The palate shows nicely resolved M+ rounded, tarry tannins. It has freshness and bright fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, back/stewed dark cherries, strawberries & raspberry hues. Both dark & milk chocolate to pudding, dry twig/soils, dark rich soils, dry river stone, dark spice w/ palate heat, dark & mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, softly layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & very light vanillin, limestone/sandstone, moist clay, crushed dry rocks, grey volcanics, black tea, used leather & tobacco, black olive tapenade, light cedar, dark, red fresh & slightly withering flowers, beautiful acidity, it is nicely toned, good structure/tension with a well balanced, elegant & polish finish for days that lasts two-minutes and lands on dry earth & spice.
91-92.
Still has 5-10 yr of life ahead depending on your storage.
This was a check-in to see how ready my 2000 Montrose’s are doing. A good check.
This is absolutely a close relative of the 2nd Growth Montrose. The thing that experience has taught me is, Montrose is a long in the tooth producer. As well, the 2000 Bordeaux vintage mimics that completely.
I would say the 2000 Montrose is finally ready with a longish decant.
This is completely classic Bordeaux and Saint-Estèphe.
The nose shows ripe, lush, nearly candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, back/stewed dark cherries, strawberries & raspberry hues. Both dark & milk chocolate to pudding, dry twig/soils, dark rich soils, dry river stone, dark & mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, softly layered baking spices, limestone/sandstone, black tea, used leather & tobacco, black olive tapenade, light cedar, semi-used charcoal, dark, red fresh & slightly withering flowers.
The palate shows nicely resolved M+ rounded, tarry tannins. It has freshness and bright fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, back/stewed dark cherries, strawberries & raspberry hues. Both dark & milk chocolate to pudding, dry twig/soils, dark rich soils, dry river stone, dark spice w/ palate heat, dark & mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, softly layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & very light vanillin, limestone/sandstone, moist clay, crushed dry rocks, grey volcanics, black tea, used leather & tobacco, black olive tapenade, light cedar, dark, red fresh & slightly withering flowers, beautiful acidity, it is nicely toned, good structure/tension with a well balanced, elegant & polish finish for days that lasts two-minutes and lands on dry earth & spice.
91-92.
Still has 5-10 yr of life ahead depending on your storage.
vintage 2019 | Cigar box. Great intensity. Rondeur, beautiful balance. Very reliable for pleasure 🫶
vintage 2019 | Cigar box. Great intensity. Rondeur, beautiful balance. Very reliable for pleasure 🫶
Jul 1st, 2026
I’ve had a lot of excellent bottles of this wine but this bottle was in an uncommunicative phase. Nobody is perfect.
I’ve had a lot of excellent bottles of this wine but this bottle was in an uncommunicative phase. Nobody is perfect.
Dec 2nd, 2025Vintage 2018 | much cassis, excellent taste with great structure | paired with duck breast | at Les Rousses
Vintage 2018 | much cassis, excellent taste with great structure | paired with duck breast | at Les Rousses
Oct 2nd, 2025
Really nice. Well balanced; medium all around--except for the alcohol which runs hot. Beets and other vegetal notes provide an interesting nose.
93 points
Really nice. Well balanced; medium all around--except for the alcohol which runs hot. Beets and other vegetal notes provide an interesting nose.
93 points
The second wine of Chateau Montrose. 91 but if I rounded up with more time in the glass, 92.
Nose not entirely expressive. Not a surprise as this Chateau makes wine for the ages. Nice soft fruits of, dark cherries, blackberries & strawberries. Sandstone, dry herbs, some light non distinct earth with bright red flowers, red roses framed in dark, dry flowers.
The palate is good but is begging to remain in bottle. Nice soft, ripe, fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries. Dark chocolate bar, some chocolate pudding, moist clay, dark spices w/ just a touch of heat, moist herbs-sage, sandalwood, dry tobacco, little in the way of baking spices-clove leading the way, mocha, very little caramel notes, dry top soil, river stone, withering to dry, dark, red flowers with liquid violets, beautiful acidity and a well knitted/made, balanced, nicely tensioned finish that lands on some fruit, clay & soft spice.
Very good value here but would not open one for another 10 years.
The second wine of Chateau Montrose. 91 but if I rounded up with more time in the glass, 92.
Nose not entirely expressive. Not a surprise as this Chateau makes wine for the ages. Nice soft fruits of, dark cherries, blackberries & strawberries. Sandstone, dry herbs, some light non distinct earth with bright red flowers, red roses framed in dark, dry flowers.
The palate is good but is begging to remain in bottle. Nice soft, ripe, fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries. Dark chocolate bar, some chocolate pudding, moist clay, dark spices w/ just a touch of heat, moist herbs-sage, sandalwood, dry tobacco, little in the way of baking spices-clove leading the way, mocha, very little caramel notes, dry top soil, river stone, withering to dry, dark, red flowers with liquid violets, beautiful acidity and a well knitted/made, balanced, nicely tensioned finish that lands on some fruit, clay & soft spice.
Very good value here but would not open one for another 10 years.
2020 vintage. A blend of 49% Merlot,44% Cabernet Sauvignon,4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. I tasted this at the estate during the primeur campaign, and it certainly does not disappoint in 2025. A good introduction to the incredible grand vin, La Dame is more Merlot dominated, and more approachable in its youth. Very refined and elegant, with impeccable purity of fruit, a silky mouthfeel, fresh balancing acidity, and a long finish. It's very hard to resist now, but it should age gracefully. Abv. 13,5%.
2020 vintage. A blend of 49% Merlot,44% Cabernet Sauvignon,4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. I tasted this at the estate during the primeur campaign, and it certainly does not disappoint in 2025. A good introduction to the incredible grand vin, La Dame is more Merlot dominated, and more approachable in its youth. Very refined and elegant, with impeccable purity of fruit, a silky mouthfeel, fresh balancing acidity, and a long finish. It's very hard to resist now, but it should age gracefully. Abv. 13,5%.
Apr 9th, 2025
Popped and doubled decanted. Not that much sediment yet. Nose is rich in iron-scented wet clay, with sweet, dense cherry fruit trying to push its way through. Some dried underbrush as well. Densely-flavored initially, and then the relatively crisp acids take over, and the palate thins out a little but lingers. Flavors include barely-ripe cassis and dark cherry, with loads of minerally clay notes. Bone dry. Still feels a bit tight. Drinking well now but no rush.
Popped and doubled decanted. Not that much sediment yet. Nose is rich in iron-scented wet clay, with sweet, dense cherry fruit trying to push its way through. Some dried underbrush as well. Densely-flavored initially, and then the relatively crisp acids take over, and the palate thins out a little but lingers. Flavors include barely-ripe cassis and dark cherry, with loads of minerally clay notes. Bone dry. Still feels a bit tight. Drinking well now but no rush.
Dec 31st, 2024
Showing its youth but great potential - silky tannins, cassis, cedar and pencil shavings. A treat
Showing its youth but great potential - silky tannins, cassis, cedar and pencil shavings. A treat
Oct 17th, 2021