Castle Montrose - Saint-Estèphe 2011

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe8/31/2014

Bright dark ruby.  Expressive, soil-driven aromas of blackberry, raspberry, rose petal and minerals.  Bright and juicy, with flinty black fruit and mineral flavors nicely framed by harmonious acidity.  Finishes lightly saline and energetic, with dusty, fine-grained tannins.  Very nicely balanced Montrose but I hope the tannins won't outlive the fruit. (91(+?) points)

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2014

89+
The dark ruby/purple-colored, slightly austere and angular 2011 Montrose possesses a more masculine style with firm tannin, medium body, and cassis, black currant and earth notes. The wine tails off slightly on the palate leaving an acidic, tangy character. It will benefit from several more years of cellaring, and should last for 15+ years thereafter.

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014

This is a tannic, chewy Montrose with lots of spice, berry and earth character. Full body,  chewy and fruity. Intense tannins. Try in 2018 when the tannins soften.      

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2014

 Features some lovely plum, black currant and blackberry fruit, already melded into the core, while a pure, long and rather regal structure runs through the finish, letting extra charcoal and pebble notes play out. Offers precision, range and a beautiful mix of fruit and austerity. Best from 2017 through 2027.

Terres de Vins

15,6 / 20

the2/1/2014

Il a fallu passer entre les attaques de grêle et la jouer serré en 2011. Montrose a fait le maximum et seul un grand terroir pouvait sauver la mise. On n'aura pas la quitessence du style ici mais déjà une belle approche...

La Revue du Vin de France

16,5-17 / 20

the5/31/2012

Les progrès enregistrés depuis quelques années en matière de définition et de précision sont toujours palpables avec un 2011 qui affiche un très beau dessin de bouche, dense, serré, mais aussi très allongé et éclatant. Le milieu de bouche demeure charnu. Une réussite du millésime.

Le Point

16,5-17 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/17/2012

Réducteur, fruits noirs, bouche garnie, épicée, tanins souples et moelleux, fin, élégant, soyeux, très serré sans être agressif, long très fin. O= 2018 G= 18 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90-93 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012

(63% cabernet sauvignon; 22% merlot, 12% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot): Deep ruby-purple. Mineral notes complicate scents of fresh blackcurrant and cedar. Dense and pure on entry, then almost austere in the middle, showing very refined flavors of crystallized blackcurrant and juicy blackberry. Finishes with rising, noble tannins and a minty edge. Only 44% of total production (rather than normal 65%) went into the grand vin because the cabernets didn't produce as much. Note that since 2007 more of the estate's cabernet franc and petit verdot are going into the flagship wine; in fact, Glumineau plans to remove some merlot and add more cabernet franc.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/7/2012

63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. 35 hl/ha. Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Kompaktes, tiefgründiges Bouquet, im Prinzip blau- bis schwarzbeerige Frucht, die florale Note trägt einen ganz feinen Hauch Geraniol in sich, doch von den Grundaromen kann man nur wenig erahnen, weil das Bouquet momentan wenig Kimmunikation zulässt. Im zweiten Anflug : Schwarze Oliven, dezent hölzern, Pumpernickel, Teer und Sommertrüffel, ein Hauch Minze. Fester Gaumen, gut im Saft, attraktive Tannin-Säure-Verbindung. Sicherlich ein grosser Bordeaux, aber zur richtigen Grösse fehlt ihm die innere Wärme. Denn die grossen Montrose-Jahre waren irgenwie immer die heissen Millésimes. 2020-2060

TAST

16,5-17 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012

Forte couleur, vin de très grande puissance, au tanin assez austère, et au potentiel aromatique pas aussi diversifié que chez certins voisins. Il est vrai que l'échantillon était servi un peu trop chaud.

Decanter.com

18 / 20

the4/30/2012

Lovely restrained fragrance of Cabernet fruit with an iron backbone, classic depth and firmness of a great Montrose. Drink 2018-2040.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2012

A strong effort, the 2011 Montrose exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to abundant black currant and boysenberry fruit notes intermixed with white chocolate, damp earth, truffle and camphor. Medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin and impressive concentration, this blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot hit nearly 13% natural alcohol (relatively high in Bordeaux, but lower than the 13.2% in 2009 and 13.8% in 2010). The 2011 should drink well for 15 or more years. The harvest at Montrose was held between September 2-27, and only a tiny parcel in the southern sector of the vineyard was touched by the hail storm that swept through the Pauillac / St.-Estephe border on September 1.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/27/2012

A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot cropped between 2nd and 27th September at 35hl/ha, the 2011 Montrose has a lighter nose than the 2010 when tasted last year, but that is to be expected. My sample in March exhibited scents of blackberry, dark chocolate and pencil lead whilst returning to the property two weeks later, there is an animally element to the aromatics, even hints of clove. The palate is medium-bodied with dusty tannins on the entry, though they appear a rounder two weeks later. It is struck through by its crisp acidity and yet it remains an introspective, masculine Montrose with an unreserved graphite, tertiary finish. In 2011, I find this Montrose to be well crafted and yet somehow, difficult to love. Tasted April 2012

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2012

From a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. 100% of the vines were affected to some extent by the September hail storm. As the hail was mostly small stones, only 2% of the harvest was lost. Yields were low due to the problems caused by sunburn and a lack of water with the Cabernet Sauvignon as well as the loss suffered from the hail storm. Deep in color, earth, cedar wood, mineral, clay, crème de cassis scents lead to a full-bodied, concentrated, masculine, tannic, brawny wine filled with ripe cassis and bitter chocolate. 91-93 Pts

Asian Palate

91-93 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2012

Round supple full bodied Montrose with the plush, velvety tannins one would expect from this superstar second growth. The flavours are polished and layered but at the same time, the wine offers nuance and depth. Not as complex as in the past two vintages, but definitely a superstar in St Estephe.

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/16/2012

Drink 2022-2035
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Very dark, black core. Not very aromatic, touch of coffee and graphite. Powder fine and elegant tannins. Fresh, dry but finely layered, lots of very fine layers. Dry finesse and long too but needs lots of time. (JH) 12.85%

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2012

This has aromatic range and depth of fruit, offering enticing dark currant, plum and blackberry notes that show lots of savory herb and racy chalk notes, with a long, gravelly finish. A terrific effort in one of the more heterogeneous appellations of the vintage.—J.M.

Wine Enthusiast

94-96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/4/2012

Powerful yet still fruity, this is a true wine of 2011. It shows dark tannins and juicy fruit in equal measure. The wine has weight, complexity and power. A real success. —R.V

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/1/2012

Elegant and racy wine with blueberry, blackberry and mineral aromas. Full to medium body, with fine tannins. Pretty length. Like the 2008, but with less acidity. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.