Lady of Montrose - Saint-Estèphe 2012

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

Earthy and tannic, but concentrated with firm structure, the 2012 La Dame de Montrose has a distinct spicy, earthy character and some tannins to shed, which is unusual for a second wine. It is nicely concentrated with a dense ruby/purple color, and overall it is well-made. Give it several years of bottle age and drink it over the following 15 or more years, as this will be an uncommonly long-lived second wine from this famous Médoc château.

Jamessuckling.com

90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

A solid second wine from Montrose. Full-bodied, layered and structured with good, firm tannins and attractive spice, berry and coffee character. Give this muscular red time to soften. Better in 2017.

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2013

The latest in a succession of impressive second wines at Château Montrose, with a good deal of the structure of the grand vin, despite the predominance of Merlot. Concentrated and classy, with dense, yet silky tannins, supple black fruits and understated oak. The Cabernet tastes like more than 24% of the wine. Drink: 2020-30

Le Point

14 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Fruits noirs, poivre, rose, bouche gourmande, souple et séveuse, assez carrée en finale. Pas trop extrait. O= 2015 G= 8 ans.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2013

Tasted as a barrel sample at the château. Representing 29% of the production, the Dame de Montrose is a blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a light blackberry bouquet with just a hint of liquorice. The palate is nicely rounded on the entry. There is good acidity here, a firm grip with a conservative but weighted finish, leaving a briny/salty tang on the aftertaste. Fine. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

The second wine has been a strong effort for a number of years. The 2012 Dame de Montrose represents 29% of the total production. Its domination by Merlot is noticeable in the chocolate, mocha and black cherry characteristics. Deep ruby/purple-tinged, fleshy and succulent with low acidity and ripe tannin, it is the ideal second wine to drink over the next decade.

Only 52% of the production made it into the 2012 Montrose, a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon (harvested between October 13 and 20), 37% Merlot (picked during the third week of September) and a tiny amount of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The pH was 3.7 and I suspect the alcohol level pushes 14%. It is one of the top successes of the vintage. As new administrator Herve Berland indicated, the severe six-week drought caused the Cabernet skins to become very thick, thus resisting the huge rainfall that fell between October 7 and 9. The late harvest dates suggest very ripe Cabernet Sauvignon, which appears to be exactly what has occurred.
Drink: 2013 - 2023

The Wine Cellar Insider

87-89 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

For the second wine, the estate blended 76% Merlot with 24% Cabernet Sauvignon to produce a forward, crowd-pleasing and soft style of wine. 87-89 Pts

Jancis Robinson

/ 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/25/2013

Drink 2018-2026
Very deep crimson. Lots of vitality. But harsh dry Cabernet dominates. Not something you would buy for pleasure.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

15 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/25/2013

Couleur sombre et intense. Nez fruité, frais, pur et mûr. Un des mieux définis vu d’ici. Dense et très fruité dès l’attaque, ce vin se développe avec une légère vivacité en bouche, du corps et une bonne longueur. L’élevage lui fera du bien.

Decanter.com

16,75 / 5

bySteven Spurrierthe4/22/2013

Fine fragrance of pure Medoc fruit, quite inky extraction yet supple overall, a really good second wine. 16.75/20pts ( 89/100pts)
Drink: 2015 - 2025