2023, Château Montrose, SAINT-ESTÈPHE, 2ème Grand Cru Classé

Last Year EP $314.00-

2nd Growth 1855
This great second growth vineyard is majestically situated overlooking the Gironde in the southern section of St Estèphe. Recently purchased and re-invigorated by the Bouygues family, Montrose is on top form. Large amounts of money have been spent on stunning new facilities. This is the place for First Growth quality wines without the First Growth price tag.
In 2023 is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc.

The 2023 Montrose is another brilliant wine from an estate that's now routinely among Bordeaux's very best, year in, year out. Derived exclusively from the estate's historic core on the fourth terrace situated just in front of the château itself, it unwinds in the glass with aromas of cassis and wild berries mingled with notions of lilac, violet and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, deep and layered, with a textural attack that segues into a dense, multidimensional mid-palate framed by beautifully ripe tannins and lively acids, it concludes with a long, resonant finish. It will be worth a special effort to seek out.
97-100 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

The 2023 Montrose is focused on the original terroir of the estate located in front of the river. This has a very intense and focused bouquet: pure black fruit with just a touch of strawberry, hints of violet petals developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins—very pure, with pitch-perfect acidity. This gains depth toward the finish but maintains a sense of linearity that ensures it is one of the vintage’s finest contributions from the Left Bank. Magnificent.
96-98 Neal Martin.

Wow. This is the essence of Montrose, with blackberry, blackcurrant, crushed stone and earth. I have not tasted a Montrose like this in 42 years of my career. It has a much more vertical nature to it, with layered tannins that go very deep and long, The muscular structure and intensity is something else. This is a new era for Montrose.
99-100 James Suckling.

Gorgeously dark and vibrant fruit, with gunsmoke and campfire, concentrated cassis and blackberry pastille, grilled almond, saffron and pomegrante, luscious but measured, showing the inky character that seems to be at the heart of the best Cabernets of this vintage, with their ripe but not overly exuberant classicism. Organic conversion, to be certified 2025.  Pierre Grafeuille director, Vincent Decup technical director.
98 Jane Anson.

The 2023 Montrose is a dark, brooding powerhouse but with the elegance that is such a signature today. Black cherry, plum, leather, liquorice, mocha, spice, tobacco and dried flowers infuse the 2023 with tons of character. The Cabernet Sauvignon is so expressive here. In other words, it’s classic Montrose. In the end, that's not terribly surprising. The 2023 is magnificent in every way. 2032-2063
95-97 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.