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
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.
Silky tannins with grip and intensity, a lovely balance of texture and fresh acidities. Slate and pummice stone grip, this is delicious, with appellation typicity in its powerful black fruits, but measured with a saline kick on the finish. In organic conversion, to be certified 2025.
The 2023 La Dame de Montrose has a light and slightly tertiary nose, with touches of tea leaves infusing the black fruit. The palate is soft and supple on the entry, with licorice-tinged black fruit and a rounded, cracked-black-pepper-tinged finish. There’s good body for a Deuxième Vin. This will give a decade of drinking pleasure.
Another strong performance from this bottling, which dependably numbers among Bordeaux's top three or four second wines, the 2023 La Dame de Montrose reveals aromas of cassis, pencil shavings and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and dense palate that's polished, pure and layered, with sweet tannins, lively acids and a saline finish. It's a blend of 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.