Castle Montrose - Saint-Estèphe 2014

Le Point

17,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Réglisse, poivre, fruits noirs, cerise, bouche vive, tendue, fraîche, épicée, serrée en finale, frais, bien fruité, long et fin, droit. Beaucoup plus en finesse en milieu de bouche qu’autrefois. 

Vinous

93-96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

The 2014 Montrose is one of the most intriguing wines of the vintage. An elegant, beautifully layered wine, the 2014 Montrose comes across as incredibly silky and polished. The typical Montrose power, richness and breath take a backseat to a total sense of refinement, as the 2014 is a remarkably nuanced and noble wine. Beams of acidity and minerality give the finish its salivating energy and brightness. Given that Montrose is slow to develop, my sense is that the 2014 is not ready to show all of its cards just yet. Today, it's all about potential, and there is plenty of that here. Sweet red cherry plum, dried flowers and spices are some of the notes that are laced into the exquisite, alluring finish. The blend is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that represents 47% of the total production.

Le Figaro

18 / 20

byBernard Burtschythe5/6/2015

Montrose capitalise tous ses investissements récents avec un vin de charme associé à un Montrose très classique doté d’une jolie matière et de la suavité derrière un beau cabernet. Un grain très fin, un fruit superbe devant l’austère façade. Du grand Montrose. 5-20 ans.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

Cavernous in color and succulently layered with summer boysenberries, there is a refined freshness and a luxurious, creamy, soft texture to this wine. The wine is powerful, tannic and carries the structure to age. A sweet, fruity finish envelops the senses and lingers nicely on the palate. Representing 47% of the production, the blend is from 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot. The wine reached 13.7 alcohol. This is a wine that could turn out better after elevage, so stay tuned. Herve Berland is clearly on top of his game producing sublime wines at both his St. Estephe chateaux today. There is going to be a lot of talk and attention focused on Montrose this year, as the annual Fete de la Fleur takes place at the estate in June. 94-96 Pts

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Château Montrose 2014 is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that represents 47% of the total production. It was picked from mid-September via five or six tries through the vineyard. The aromatics represent a clear step in quality from the second wine, attired with far more precision and focus, much more purity with scents of blackberry, boysenberry and blue fruit, now with touches of violet and vanilla. It is beautifully defined and actually, at least at this juncture, closely aligned with Cos d’Estournel 2014. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin that underpin layers of pure mineral-rich black fruit. There is an enthralling sense of energy and precision here and it fans out remarkably on the finish. Dare I say, this is one grand vin that comes perilously close to matching the heights of the 2009 and 2010. This is a brilliant Montrose, one of the best you will find on the Left Bank this vintage. Tasted on five separate occasions, twice at the château.

Asian Palate

93-95 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

Great concentration combined with velvety tannins, dark berry fruit that is crunchy, fresh and supple with round tannins. There is great linearity and freshness combined with lifted dark berry fruit and spices. Tannins are very well managed with long length. This is a much better vintage than the past 3 years.

Decanter.com

18,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015

Dense, irony Cabernet nose and deep chalky fruit typical of Montrose. Rich but with clarity and precision, robust yet elegant – one for the long term Drink: 2022-2045 (95)

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2015

47% of production. 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. 
Very muted nose. Seems rich and heavy but not that expressive aromatically. Big and bold and ambitious with a good balance between fruit and tannins. Acid reasonably well in check. And very definitely St-Estèphe. Pretty brutal – without the charm and glamour of Cos – but probably very true to the archetype. Good tannin management but nothing at all confected or too modern. Inky finish.

My Bettane + Desseauve

19 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/16/2015

Texture sublime, la plus impressionnante peut-être du Médoc par le soyeux des sensations tactiles, tannin merveilleusement intégré, fait jeu égal ou même plus avec les premiers crus !

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

This is a fabulous young red with blackberries, currants and wet earth. Full body, firm tannins. Very long finish. It really takes off.

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

61 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 % Merlot, 8 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot. 47 % Grand Vin. Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Verhaltenes, leicht hölzern wirkendes Bouquet. Von der Nase her mehr Gewürze wie Frucht zeigend. Im zweiten Ansatz Edelhölzer, dominikanischer Tabak und Pfefferkörner. Es ist aber schwer, von der Nase her, viel über den Wein aussagen zu können. Im Gaumen ein massiver Tanninbrocken, wobei diese Gerbstoffe dann doch erste Rundungen zeigen und versuchen, wenigstens etwas verhaltenen Frühcharme zu vermitteln, die Aromen scheinen noch irgendwo im Innern verbogen zu sein. Ein introvertierter Montrose, der wohl erst in ein paar Jahrenso richtig zeigen wird, wohin seine Evolutionsreise gehen wird. Auf alle Fälle geht er in Richtung «streng», respektive grosse Klassik. Wer einen besonders lagerfähigen Wein für seine in diesem Jahr geborenen Kinder sucht, der ist hier auf extrem lange Sicht, bestens bedient. Hervé Berland: «Wir haben viel gearbeitet im Rebberg und im Keller. Besonders bei der Separation der Parzellen. Auch mit den Pressweinen haben wir sehr intensiv gearbeitet. Wir hatten bis 250 Barriquen mit Presswein und wir haben auch etwas mehr Vin de Presse wie sonst verwendet. Dies weil wir von der Reife der Gerbstoffe überzeugt waren. Wir haben intern gar schon gewisse Vergleiche mit unserem 2010er Montrose gezogen!». Ich habe ihn auf Ulysse Cazabonne in aller Ruhe nochmals nachdegustiert. Das Potential scheint nach wie vor immens. Er ist aber schwer zu verkosten, weil die Aromen ganz im Innersten verharren! 18/20 2026 – 2060

Wine Enthusiast

96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

95–97. Barrel Sample. This is a hugely structured wine, almost severe in a way that is typical of this estate. It has power and concentration, with intense fruitiness and a rich, generous texture. The finish is fresh and lingering.

Wine Spectator

94-97 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/30/2015

As sleek and tightly coiled as they come, with wonderful purity and cut to the red and black currant and red and black cherry fruit. The long iron spine is thoroughly embedded and a gorgeous echo of charcoal lingers at the very end of the lightly pebbly finish. Everything finally seems to be coming together here.

La Revue du Vin de France

18-18,5 / 20

Le cru a poussé plus loin que jamais le travail de précision, avec des vendanges parcellaires très pointues et des sélections de lots drastiques. Au final, Montrose impressionne par sa texture doucement crayeuse, sa grande précision et la gestion de son imposante marque tannique. La finale est incroyable de longueur. Un petit 2010.

Gilbert & Gaillard magazine

96-98 / 100

Nez extrêmement fin au boisé toasté subtil, encore fermé naturellement. En bouche une qualité de tanins incroyable, une finesse de texture impressionnante en regard de la matière. Un Montrose d’anthologie sans aucun doute.