Montrose Castle - Saint-Estèphe 2008

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe12/20/2011

I impressed with the purity of fruit and ultra-fine tannins in this wine. It's full bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Sexy and refined. Ends with spices and berries. Fascinating for the vintage. Chewy. Better after 2014.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

One of the superstars of the vintage, this classic Montrose is not as showy or opulent as the 2010, 2009 or 2003, but it offers a dense purple color followed by gorgeously sweet black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with loamy, earthy, forest floor notes, a floral component and a long, full-bodied finish. The 2008 was fashioned from yields of 44 hectoliters per hectare which is slightly less than the 2010's 45 hectoliters per hectare. Forget it for 5-8 years and drink it over the following 20+. Drink 2016-2036

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe12/15/2010

This has a density that sets it apart, with a pleasantly firm edge to the plum, black cherry and currant fruit, all wrapped with notes of iron, tobacco and savory herb. The long, rock-solid finish is still a bit tight, but it should meld nicely in the cellar. A fine effort for the vintage. Best from 2013 through 2020. - J.M

Falstaff

88-90 / 100

the6/30/2009

(65% CS, 30% ME, 4% CF, 1% PV) Kräftiges Rubingranat, zarter violetter Rand. In der Nase eher verhalten, dunkler Beeren, zart nach Cassis, ein Hauch von Zitruszesten. Am Gaumen saftig, frisch strukturiert, rotbeerige Nuancen, wirkt eine Spur weitmaschiger als gewhohnt, insgesamt balanciert, zugänglich, ein charmanter Montrose, mineralisch im Nachhall, hat mittleres Reifepotenzial.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88-90 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe5/28/2009

(65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot; the estate-wide yield here was 44 hl/ha) the very early harvest date of September 29 for the merlot (October 15 for the cabernet sauvignon) suggests that the estate might have pulled the trigger a little too quickly here, especially in what is one of the cooler terroirs of Bordeaux.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/7/2009

65 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 % Merlot, 4 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot. 60 % der Lese wurde für den Grand Vin klassifiziert. Sehr dunkles Weinrot mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Kühles, dennoch sehr intensives Cabernet Bouquet mit viel Tabak, schwarzen Pfefferkörnern, Brombeerstauden und einer würzigen Napa-Valley-Note, dunkles Holz, sehr floral, aber nicht unreif. Im Gaumen ein Grandseigneur: erhaben und verlangend, mit kräftiger Adstringenz, im Extrakt noble Bitternoten, recht langes Finale. Ein recht grosser Wein mit klassischer Ausrichtung und grossem Potenzial. 2018 – 2036

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2009

An undeniably great Montrose, after some time in wood, the 2008 should achieve the heights of the 2003, 1990, and 1989. Stylistically different from those wines, the 2008 harvest took place between September 29 and October 15, and yields were a modest 44 hectoliters per hectare. This superb terroir west of the Gironde River possesses a remarkable amount of gravel in the soil base. Sixty percent of the production made it into the 2008 Montrose, and the person responsible for so many great Haut-Brions, Jean-Bernard Delmas, came out of retirement to take charge over the last several vintages for proprietor Martin Bouygues. An inky/purple color is accompanied by sweet, pure aromas of black fruits and spice. This full-bodied wine exhibits superb concentration, sweet tannin, and a multilayered, textured, full-bodied mouthfeel with no hard edges. The sweetness of the tannin, the extraordinary purity of fruit, and the intense aromatics suggest a year of great ripeness. The difference between the 2008 and the 2003, 1990, or 1989 is the freshness and purity of expression. This should be a long-lived wine (35+ years), yet it will drink surprisingly well at a young age. For some reason, it comes across like an even more pure example of the 1989, even though there is nothing essentially comparable between the two harvests.

La Revue du Vin de France

16,5-17,5 / 20

the4/29/2009

Jean-Bernard Delmas règne désormais en patriarche sur ce second cru classé de Saint Estèphe. La famille Bouygues en lui confiant les clés du château a été particulièrement bien inspirée! Château Montrose ne cesse de s'affirmer dans son nouveau style où l'on décèle une approche plus fine et plus pointue du vignoble, une recherche évidente de précision dans les vinifications et les élevages. Avec une palette aromatique dominée par le fruit, 2008 fait partie des vins les plus élégants du millésime. Il n'aura pas besoin de vingt ans pour se fondre, il est délicieux.

TAST

18 / 20

the4/23/2009

Le second vin ne présente rien d’exceptionnel mais le grand vin a toute l’ampleur et la classe attendues, avec une rigueur et une précision remarquables dans l’extraction des tanins médocains (qui peuvent être sévères sur ce terroir en des mains moins expertes), dans un esprit éminemment classique.

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2009

Satin crimson and deep. Some richness on the nose. Mellifluous initially and then quite dry and tough. Aggressive tannins and not much flesh in the middle. Very dry and almost glorying in its austerity and unfriendliness. Very dry finish. Picked from 29 Sep to 15 Oct – some of the fruit picked just a bit too early perhaps? Very hard finish. Drink 2016-30

Decanter Magazine

17.50 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/14/2009

Black-red, complex, concentrated blackcurrants nose, firm on the palate, quite tight and tough despite inherent richness, a classic Montrose which needs waiting for. Drink 2020-35.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/7/2009

A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, cropped at 44hl/ha and representing 60% of production. It has a deep garnet core. The bouquet is very “classic” – rather aloof and austere. Again, there are dominant sous-bois and tobacco aromas. Moderate vigour: conservative. The palate is medium-bodied, quite sharp on the entry, austere and foursquare. Holding something back perhaps? A touch of salt and pepper on the finish. Very linear. A serious Montrose that could do with more joie-de-vivre. I regret being able to taste this just once, as others are more positive about this wine. Tasted March 2009.

Wine Spectator

88-91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2009

Shows blackberry and black licorice, with hints of mint. Full-bodied and fruity, with very fine tannins, good acidity and a nice intensity of mineral and spices.