We love what Hervé Berland and his team are doing at Montrose. This is yet another regal wine that is not only one of the elite ‘Super Seconds’, but is also pushing the ‘First Growths’. The minute attention to detail from the soils to harvest to vinifications is quite astonishing. It is hard to think of another chateau that is getting it so right. It is no surprise this achieved one of the highest scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (96-99).
“The 2017 Montrose is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep purple-black in color, the nose is a little closed at first, but with coaxing, it opens to reveal remarkable earth and exotic spice notes of crushed rocks, black truffles, star anise, cassia and fenugreek over a core of crème de cassis, blackberry preserves, violets and blueberry pie with touches of cigar box, charcuterie and black soil. Medium-bodied with a rock-solid frame and an exquisitely ripe, very fine-grained texture, it has wonderful freshness with electric energy and a very long, minerally finish. Possessing great poise and intensity, this is one of the greatest Montrose's I have tasted! 96-99/100” – Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
Read More“The 2017 Montrose represents 37% of the total production this year and it was cropped at around 45hl/ha. It has a little more volume and intensity compared to the Cos d’Estournel that was tasted immediately prior to my visit. Blackberry, raspberry, cedar and pressed flowers bloom in the glass, though there is a noticeable change with aeration after 20 minutes – hints of juniper and bay leaf, rendering a more nuanced and complex array of aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannin and it feels a little chalky in the mouth, yet also tensile and certainly extremely focused. There is already a palpable sense of energy in situ, well structured and vivid, though not as complex or as nuanced as the 2016 Montrose on the finish since the growing season forbade that. I appreciate the pastille-like purity on the aftertaste and the potent tang of cracked black pepper and graphite that hang around for 45 seconds after the wine has departed. It is a fine, very classic Montrose and I suspect more approachable than those of yesteryear. Tasted twice at the château. 2022 – 2045. 94-96/100” – Neal Martin, vinous.com
And hot off the press – Didier Cuvelier’s farewell vintage of Leoville Poyferre is available at 665GBP pre dozen. This is another very accomplished example from this legendary Second Growth.