La Dame de Montrose, St Estèphe, 2023
Much more measured than the exuberant 2022 Dame, but no less attractive. This is more classical with a hint of austerity and tannic pressure across the mid palate. Initial aromas of graphite and cassis segue onto a medium bodied palate of pure hedgerow fruit supported by judicious tannins.
critic reviews
Aromas of cassis, plums, orange zest and spices introduce the 2023 La Dame de Montrose, a medium- to full-bodied, rich and layered wine with a vibrant core of fruit framed by supple, powdery tannins. It's a blend of 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, incorporating maturation in different vessels (20% foudre and 5% amphora) and fewer rackings to maintain a more reductive profile, better suited to the Merlot-dominant blend.
Luscious, silky, totally beautiful texture to these tannins, just so full of character and promise. Impressive, with full impact aromatics, slate, cassis, bilberry, rose petals, iron, salinity. First year of organic conversion, to be certified 2026. One point upscore.
The 2023 La Dame de Montrose has a much lighter, airier bouquet compared to the previous vintage, with tobacco-tinged black fruit, hints of liquorice and sea spray. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a fresh entry, fine tannins, quite bright and tensile, with noticeable acidity and salinity keeping this on its toes toward the finish. Give this a couple of years in bottle, and you will have a fine Deuxième Vin.
The 2023 La Dame de Montrose is deep garnet-purple in color. The nose is so floral, with notes of iris and lavender opening out to a core of black raspberries and mulberries plus hints of dusty soil and fallen leaves. The medium-bodied palate is tight-knit and lively, with lightly chewy tannins and a ferrous finish. The blend is 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.50.