Er was niet de minste vorstschade op de grote terroirs gelegen aan de oevers van de Gironde. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc en 1% Petit Verdot. De diepe kleur met een fruitige neus van inkt, grafiet en zwarte bessen, gelaagd met herinneringen aan expressoboontjes en kruiden. Intens en compact in de mond met elegante rijpheid en heerlijke fraîcheur die de rijpe cassis en braambessen in toom houdt. Massa’s tannine vullen de mond. Montrose 2017 vertoont zijn typische structuur en belooft hiermee het nodige bewaarpotentieel. Complex en perfect uitgevoerd.
IN DE PERS
94-96 Neal Martin – vinous.com (Mei 2018)
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. Drink 2022-2045.
92-95 Antonio Galloni – vinous.com (Mei 2018)
The 2017 Montrose is wonderfully polished and nuanced. Silky tannins and mid-weight structure confer finesse to a Montrose that possesses superb harmony from start to finish. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. In 2017, the Grand Vin (35% of the production) is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Because of the late season rains, Montrose has more Cabernet Sauvignon than is typically the case. The winemaking team opted for a large number of smaller-lot vinifications (82 instead of 50-ish, to be exact), in order to optimize picks according to ripeness. Although alcohol alone can never tell the whole story of a wine, at 13.5% alcohol, Montrose has a very attractive freshness to it. The Grand Vin represents about 37% of the chateau's production. The 2017 is all class.
96 Jane Anson – decanter.com (April 2018)
This has more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend this year, the highest level since 2006, because the Merlot didn't quite make it through the September rains unscathed. The wine is correspondingly powerful with a robust accompanying acidity that promises a long life. The fruit character is savoury, succulent and extremely persistent, with fleshy blackberry alongside touches of redcurrant and a pulsating freshness that keeps on coming. Harvested 12-29 September with twelve days spent actually picking, compared to sixteen days over the last few years, with more hands on deck. They have never been affected by frost, as far as they can remember, and 2017 was no exception. The wind is always such a benefit here. A normal yield of 45hl/ha, 37% of which was for the grand vin. 60% new oak. Drink 2025-2040.
98 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW – robertparker.com (Maart 2020)
Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and a 1% splash of Petit Verdot, the 2017 Montrose wine was run off into 60% new and 40% one-year old barrels where it was aged for 18 months. The grand vin represented 37% of the estate’s total production. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose takes some time to unfurl before revealing an impressively flamboyant core of black cherry preserves, warm cassis and baked plums with hints of red currant jelly, dark chocolate, licorice, cardamom and chargrill plus a gentle waft of candied violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has fantastic intensity with a very elegant, modest weight, featuring super-ripe, finely-grained tannins and tons of freshness to lift and show-off a stunning array of gorgeous black fruit and fragrant sparks, finishing very long and refined. This is an incredibly classy, poised and sophisticated Montrose! Drink 2022-2060.
96-99 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW – robertparker.com (April 2018)
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!
96-97 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (Maart 2018)
This is pure and tight with gorgeous cabernet sauvignon character of blackcurrants, blueberries and crushed stones. Full-bodied, yet compacted and polished. It shows a long and beautiful tannin texture at the end. Just rolls off the palate.
17,5/20 Julia Harding MW – jancisrobinson.com (April 2018)
Deep crimson. Sober but intense black fruit. On the palate, elegant and attractive dusty character, incredibly fine tannins, so supple, refined, juicy and long. Not opulent but not at all dry. Should have a long drinking window.Drink 2025-2045
93-95 Jeb Dunnuck – jebdunnuck.com (April 2018)
The Grand Vin 2017 Château Montrose is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It has a sensational Cabernet Sauvignon profile and offers abundant blue fruits, sweet black cherries, leafy herbs, and liquid violet-like aromas and flavors. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated Saint-Estèphe that has remarkable purity, a rock solid mid-palate, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It certainly shows the cooler, pure side to the vintage, yet has plenty of textural richness and depth. It should be drinkable with just short-term cellaring and age beautifully.
95 Jean-Marc Quarin – quarin.fr (April 2018)
91-94 James Molesworth – winespectator.com (Maart 2018)
17-18/20 Revue des Vins de France – rvf.com (April 2018)
94-96 Roger Voss – wineenthusiast.com (April 2018)
MontroseHet fenomenale terroir van Montrose is gekend als “het Latour van Saint Estèphe”. De wijnen zijn grandioos en vertonen een typische “austérité”. Hun parcours is vlekkeloos: vooral 2003 was een fenomenale wijn, en 1990, 2009 en 2010 zijn hun perfecte parkerscores waard. Vandaag staan de gebroeders Bouygues aan het roer van deze Deuxième Grand Cru Classé. Zij zijn bekend van de gelijknamige bouwfirma, telefonie en mediahuis TF1. De nieuwe directeur, Hervé Berland (ex Mouton), zet de doelstellingen duidelijk uit: na een jarenlange renovatie verkeren wijngaard en Château in prima conditie. Kortom, we verwachten nog vele prachtwijnen van Montrose in de komende jaren!
De wijngaard is één blok van 95 hectare op de oevers van de Gironde, aangelegd voor 1832. De naam “Mont-rose” verwijst naar de kleur van de boempjes en de heide die er vroeger stond. Het vormt met zijn Château, bijgebouwen en wijnbouwershuisjes bijna een klein dorp, waarvan de straatnamen verwijzen naar de namen van de voormalige eigenaars. Steek je neus op en je ademt onmiddellijk de zilte lucht van het maritiem klimaat die de wijngaard afkoelt in de zomer en vorst vermijdt in de winter. Bordeaux lijkt plots veraf… | |
