Montrose - Saint-Estèphe 2016

Wine Advocate

99 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe11/30/2018

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Montrose is a little youthfully shy to begin, but with coaxing, it unfurls to reveal the most beguiling scents of wilted roses, oolong tea, crushed rocks, wild sage, star anise and candied violets over a wonderfully pristine, well-defined core of crushed blackcurrants, black raspberries and kirsch plus wafts of pencil lead and wood smoke. The taut, muscular, medium to full-bodied palate straddles jaw-dropping intensity and finesse superbly, featuring a solid backbone of ripe tannins and giving a firm frame right through the incredibly long, exquisitely nuanced finish.

Decanter.com

97 / 100

byJane Ansonthe10/30/2018

Lightly smoky damson scents are joined by coffee and violet edging. There's a touch of modern sweetness that's extremely well done, alongside a shot of freshness and fairly high acidity. They have really worked the tannins in this vintage to ensure they are deep but flexible. Just five minutes in the glass and things deepen, widen and open up; the density and precision clear to see. Harvested 23 September to 14 October, and bottled in July 2018.

Drinking Window 2024 - 2040

Jeb DUNNUCK

97-100 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe11/30/2017

Deep ruby/purple-colored, the 2016 Montrose might be the wine of the vintage and offers an extraordinary bouquet of crème de cassis, dried flowers, underbrush, blueberries, and graphite. Gorgeously concentrated, pure, elegant and balanced on the palate, it has incredible purity of fruit, building, ripe tannin and a great, great finish. Reminding me of the 2003, yet more fresh, vibrant and delineated, this awesome 2016 is going to require patience, yet should rival the truly great vintages from this estate.

Wein Wisser

20 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/10/2017

Bettane & Desseauve

98 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Etonnante densité de matière, même par rapport aux critères habituels, intense, minéral, d’une merveilleuse précision, illustrant le niveau actuel de travail des grandes propriétés médocaines.

Wine Advocate

97-99 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Montrose is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc (no Petit Verdot this year) picked between 23 September to 14 October and matured in 60% new oak. It has a very sophisticated bouquet with blackberry, briary, a touch of blue fruit and violets. Sometimes this Saint Estèphe can be a little broody at en primeur, but this certainly is more expressive, maintaining very fine delineation and precision, unfolding with each swirl of the glass and revealing a hidden graphite/marine influence. The palate is very fresh on the entry. The first facet of this wine that strikes you is the freshness that lasts from start to finish. This is an animated, vivacious Montrose that starts in almost understated fashion yet builds in the mouth towards what is almost a sensual finish, not a descriptor often applied to Montrose. It is a disarmingly and hauntingly beautiful 2016, extremely long and the aftertaste lasting two or three minutes. NB This is one example where I felt my second visit, over a fortnight after the first, revealed a wine with much greater potential, and I therefore raised my banded score accordingly.

The Wine Cellar Insider

99-100 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

Inky black in color with incredible levels of density, the first thing you notice when the wine hits your palate is the salty, mineral-driven tannins. The purity of the fruit, concentration, richness and velour textures bring you to pleasure with spice, dark chocolate, licorice, blackberry and plum notes. The endnote resonates for at least 60 seconds! Completely satisfying in every way. In the old days you’d need a cigarette after tasting this wine! The best wine since the historic duo of 2009 and 2010, this is right at that level, or even better! Time alone, will be the final arbiter. The Grand Vin was produced from just 36% of the crop, blending 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. This wine reached 13.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.55. The harvest took place September 23 to October 14.

Vinous

93-96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 Montrose is a wine of remarkable depth, density and power. Large-scale and ample in all dimensions, the 2016 hits the palate with a serious richness. Today, the 2016 comes across as incredibly youthful and primary. There is not much in the way of bouquet at this stage. Instead, the 2016 impresses with its power, drive and exceptionally persistent finish. It is a remarkable wine in every way, but won't be ready to drink anytime soon. Tasted two times.

matthewjukes.com

19 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(68 Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 Merlot, 7 Cabernet Franc) | 13.3% alc.This is one of the most aromatically wonderful Montrose I can remember. It is harmonious, blushing, beautiful and multi-layered. The control and delivery of this stunning flavour is incremental. It does not whoosh in and swamp the palate, rather it is teased out and kept back for as long a performance as possible. The tannins are exquisite and mouth- watering and the flavours swirl, switching from red to black and back again. Simply stunning, this will be a very long- lived Montrose and it is poised and sculpted to perfection given its deft lines and restraint. 19+

Decanter.com

98 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/24/2017

In many ways this is a Bordeaux vintage for lovers of great Burgundy - it has the depth and intensity but also a floral, fragrant edge to it; something that is encapsulated perfectly in the classicism of Montrose. This needs some time in the glass as its structure is long and straight, true to the signature of the property. It shows clear depth and precision, and gorgeously placed spice with the sweetness of the black cherry and wild fig stealing in along the side of the palate. The young vines suffered at Montrose because the estate has lots of gravelly, well drained soils, but the proximity to the river provided cooling nights and you can feel far more waves of vibrant freshness than in the 2015 vintage, even with the same tannin index of 80IPT (compared to 70IPT in 2014). An excellent wine which represents 37% of overall production. 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc.Drinking Window 2027 - 2050

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

Gravel and then clay (rather than mixed as in Tronquoy). 9 ha organic and 6 ha biodynamic. They intend to be fully organic in five years. 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc. Very dark blackish crimson. Great, fresh, minerally savour on the nose. Lots of intensity initially. Sweet start – quite a surprise in a way – and then lots of structure. Doesn't quite hang together yet but there is masses of potential. Sweet, fresh ink. Good raciness. Quite muscular but not at all heavy. An edge of acidity is evident without the strong stoniness of St-Estèphe. Just a little bit stringy on the end. Lots of life and freshness (clays help). Pretty glamorous.

Wine Enthusiast

96-98 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. Big in tannins and fruit, this is an impressive, complete wine. Its structure and density are magnificent, as is its black fruitiness. The wine has an edge of austerity, along with dry tannins that promise considerable aging. A major performance from this estate.

Jamessuckling.com

97-98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

A solid and tight Montrose with a linear structure of ripe tannins that gives wonderful length and energy. Full-bodied, yet reserved and toned. Stone and mineral character underneath is impressive. Beautiful center palate. The class and focus are marvelous. Better than 2015. This is what Montrose is all about.