Dame de Montrose - Saint-Estèphe 2022

Alexandre Ma

94

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

La Dame de Montrose 2022 unveils a Cabernet Sauvignon-like structure within a blend of 71% Merlot. The delicate floral bouquet is beautifully poetic, with violet aromas accentuating each line. Sweet cherries and tangy dates gradually come to the fore, accompanied by a rich, blossoming array of spices. Compared to previous vintages, the tannins’ extraction is more sophisticated, presenting a commendable powdery texture. It undoubtedly ranks as a standout among the best second labels in 2022.

Wine Advocate

93

byWilliam Kelleythe3/7/2025

One of the smart purchases this year is the 2022 La Dame de Montrose, a second wine that would embarrass numerous classified growths. Based on 71% Merlot, the Dame sees a more reductive élevage than the grand vin, which is perfectly adapted to this variety. Opening to reveal aromas of sweet cassis, cherries and berries mingled with hints of violets, spices and orange zest, it's full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with a powerful but controlled profile.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

First year of Pierre Graffeuille as director, and first year to focus on the historic parcels of terrace 4, this is enveloping, seductive, gourmet edges, touches of burnt caramel, spiced and concentrated, as is often the case in this vintage. 45% of production in this.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Montrose, La Dame de

Jeb DUNNUCK

93

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

The 2022 La Dame De Montrose is based on 71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It's a beautifully textured, medium-bodied Saint-Estèphe with red and black fruits, some spicy, flowery nuances, nicely integrated oak, and a great finish. This charming, textured, elegant, supple second wine will keep for two decades.

Yvesbeck.wine

95

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

Il y a des vins qui coulent de source et que je peux décrire d'un trait. La Dame de Montrose, elle, me fait travailler ! (vu que j'aime cela, ce n'est pas un souci, mais il faut avoir du temps à disposition). La réduction est frappante, dominante, et le vin a besoin d'aération pour divulguer le fond de ses pensées. Il révèle des notes de baies noires, de menthe, de réglisse et de pivoine. La complexité n'est donc plus à prouver. En bouche, le vin se révèle pas à pas, comme le bouquet. Il affiche de la fraîcheur, de la profondeur et beaucoup de finesse. Ses tannins, bien intégrés, sont précis, un peu stricts, mais efficaces et fiables. C'est indéniablement une Dame de Montrose de haute voltige avec de bien belles perspectives en matière de garde. Si vous souhaitez savourer ce vin jeune, un passage en carafe d'environ 45 minutes s'impose. Finale saline, salivante et persistante. Un grand vin qui poursuit son chemin d'indépendance, il est devenu une personnalité ! 2028-2047 95/100

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 La Dame de Montrose has a very delineated bouquet that's more mineral-driven than previous vintages, featuring bright blackberry and boysenberry fruit tones. The palate is well balanced, fleshy and quite approachable, with smooth tannins and a lingering graphite-infused finish. It is one of the best second wines from Montrose in recent years.

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

Aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, pencil shavings and tobacco. Medium- to full-bodied, this is creamy and crunchy with open, velvety tannins and a juicy finish. 71% merlot, 23% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc.

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 La Dame de Montrose is fabulous. It marries the power of the vintage with notable tension and freshness to balance things out. Dark cherry, mocha, crushed rocks, graphite and leather soar out of the glass. A truly magnificent wine, La Dame is a mini-Montrose in every way. Readers looking for a wine that punches well above its weight and price will find it all here. Don't miss it!

Wine Maniacs

93-94

byLin Liuthe5/30/2023

Decanter.com

92

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

High toned and chewy at the same time, the bright, super fresh and delineated fruit has bite to it, crystalline edges but the tannins have a sense of fleshy texture giving bounce. The tannins subside pretty quickly leaving a clean, clear and fresh expression with plum, black cherry and flinty, herbal and spiced touches. Has a sense of fun, I like the Merlot aspects with appealing weight and terroir nuances. Elegant and pure with no harshness, a big wine with a soft touch. 1% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Harvest 2-22 September. 3.8pH. 78 IPT. A yield of 31hl/ha.

Vinous

91-93

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 La Dame de Montrose represents 43% of production this year and comes from Terrace 3 glacial deposits (the Grand Vin is on Terrace 4 that has more clay). It has a clean and pure bouquet with wild strawberry, boysenberry and light marmalade notes percolating through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a succulent entry, fine depth, slightly powdery texture. There is much more grip on the finish compared to the 2021 last year. Excellent.

The Vintage Journal

94-95

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

Deep crimson. Intense blackcurrant, dark plum, graphite black olive aromas. Richly concentrated blackcurrant, plum mocha cedar flavours, superb inky density and fresh animated chocolaty tannins. Finishes chalky and minerally. Very good energy. (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot) 14.6%

matthewjukes.com

17,5

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

90-92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

The 2022 La Dame de Montrose is a blend of 71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, and represents about 40% of the crop this year. Deep garnet-purple in color, it storms out with powerful scents of baked plums, tar, and licorice, followed by suggestions of roses and espresso. The full-bodied palate is rich and opulent, delivering velvety tannins and a lively line, finishing long and savory.

Yvesbeck.wine

94-95

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Le bouquet de la dame de Montrose révèle des nuances de graphite et de réglisse complétées par une touche épicée. Le vin est dense, friand, puissant et harmonieux, l'ambition était de canaliser la puissance et c'est bien réussi car il y a de la fraîcheur, du tempérament et de la finesse, pour couronner le tout. Un très grand Dame de Montrose qui a quitté le rôle de second vin il y a belle lurette ! Il faudra un peu patienter !

Jeb DUNNUCK

93-95

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

The second wine of Château Montrose, the 2022 La Dame De Montrose, tastes like a Grand Vin. More Merlot-dominated (71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc), the terrific purity in its cassis and blue fruits give way to complex floral, forest floor, and violet aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, balanced, and elegant, I'd be happy to drink a bottle any time over the coming 15 years.

Vinous

92-94

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 La Dame de Montrose is deep, pliant and rich. All of the intensity of this warm, very dry vintage comes through in the wine’s sheer size and ripe, dark profile. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and espresso are all amplified in this decidedly intense, concentrated La Dame. Qualitatively, there is little question this could have easily been a Grand Vin in a preceding generation. The 2022 is a stunning La Dame. Drinking window : 2028-2042

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Dark black fruits, flowers, cocoa, and wet earth open the nose. On the palate is where you find this is at its best, with its layers of supple, creamy, fresh, elegant, dark red fruits, and chocolate. There is softness paired with richness, and a depth of flavor that lingers, with an energetic touch of orange rind in the endnote. You can enjoy this on release for all its up-front fruit, or age it for more complexity. The wine blends 71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2025-2042.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byWilliam Kelleythe5/2/2023

A second wine that would embarrass numerous classified growths, the 2022 La Dame de Montrose unfurls in the glass with aromas of blackberries, violets, rose petals, charcoal and loamy soil, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy palate of striking concentration, energy and dimension. Seamless and complete, it's a blend of 71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

Wonderful freshness and brightness to this with currants and red berries, as well as chocolate and hints of coffee. Full and layered with round tannins and a fresh and vivid finish. Lemon rind underneath it all. It has lots of length for being mostly merlot. 71% merlot, 23% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot, and 1% cabernet franc. From organically grown grapes.