Montrose - Saint-Estèphe 2014

Vinous

96

par Neal Martin le 02/04/2024

The 2014 Montrose has an engaging and complex bouquet with black fruit, a pencil box, pressed violet and warm earth scents, gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with excellent tannins that frame the mineral-rich black fruit (in fact, this is one of the most mineral-laden 2014 Left Banks I tasted.) The oak is seamlessly integrated, and the finish has real panache. Beautifully, and it's just entering its drinking window. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On tasting.

Vinous

96

par Neal Martin le 28/03/2018

The 2014 Montrose has a bouquet that exudes class and sophistication: pure and mineral-driven black fruit, cedar and pencil lead, hints of blueberry developing with aeration although it never impedes upon the sense of terroir. The palate is medium-bodied with graphite-tinged black fruit, filigree tannin, a sweet core of blackberry and boysenberry fruit with a satin-like texture towards the finish. There is obviously some high quality oak used here, but it is simpatico with the fruit. For Montrose, you might argue that this is more modern in style and yet it is undeniably crafted with real panache to create a modern classic. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Jeb DUNNUCK

95

par Jeb Dunnuck le 30/11/2017

I loved the 2014 Montrose and it has an incredible purity and elegance that sets it apart from its peers. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it offers a deeper, richer profile with gorgeous cassis and currant fruits intermixed with licorice, chocolate, graphite and beautiful minerality. A spitting image of class on the palate, with fine tannin, integrated acidity, and medium to full-bodied richness, this terrific 2014 is up with the crème de la crème of the Médoc and keep for two to three decades.

Wine Advocate

96

par Neal Martin le 31/03/2017

Tasted at the château, the 2014 Montrose builds on the promise it showed in barrel with gorgeous blackberry, raspberry, cedar and orange sorbet scents that are extremely pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very precise acidity and layers of crisp black fruit laced with vanilla from the new oak at the moment. That will be subsumed in time. What you have here is a very precise, multi-layered, almost sensual Montrose that is going to delight many for years to come. This is highly recommended—one of the finest Left Bank wines this vintage. Tasted September 2016.

Jamessuckling.com

97

par James Suckling le 16/02/2017

Incredible aromas of currants, blackberries, slate and flowers. Full-bodied yet so tight and beautiful with superb polish and brightness. The length is fantastic. Truly superb. Drink in 2021.

Vinous

97

par Antonio Galloni le 06/02/2017

The 2014 Montrose is without question one of the standout wines of the vintage. Black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and lavender are some of the many aromas and flavors that open up in the glass. But the 2014 is a much deeper wine than just a bunch of descriptors can conjure. In 2014, Montrose is a wine of exceptional finesse and polish. The late-ripening vintage allowed for perfect maturation of the tannins and resulted in a silky wine that exudes class and pedigree. The 2014 is not an obvious or bombastic Montrose, but rather a wine of sublime enchantment. Don't miss it!

Wine Advocate

par Neal Martin le 25/01/2017

Full in-bottle report due early next year. A recent re-tasting in bottle at the property confirmed my barrel assessment - this is a supremely gifted, modern-day Saint Estèphe.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17,75

par Jean-Marc Quarin le 25/01/2017

Je le notais 17 en primeur. Je viens de le regoûter 2 fois en bouteille, le notant une fois à 17,5 et l'autre à 18. C'est le meilleur vin de Saint-Estèphe en 2014. Ne pas le manquer. Il s'élève grâce à son nez complexe et la profondeur de sa saveur en bouche.

Wine Spectator

95

par James Molesworth le 04/01/2017

This is seriously built, with an admirable core of red and black currant paste and bitter plum fruit inlaid with notes of tobacco, bay and smoldering charcoal. The finish is ramrod straight thanks to an iron girder supporting everything with ease. A tremendous effort for the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2035. From France.—J.M.

Le Point

17,5

par Jacques Dupont le 21/05/2015

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

par Antonio Galloni le 11/05/2015

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

par Bernard Burtschy le 06/05/2015

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

par Jeff Leve le 05/05/2015

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

par Neal Martin le 30/04/2015

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

par Jeannie Cho Lee MW le 20/04/2015

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

par Steven Spurrier le 17/04/2015

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

par Jancis Robinson le 16/04/2015

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. Drink 2024-2040

My Bettane + Desseauve

19

par Bettane & Desseauve le 16/04/2015

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

par James Suckling le 10/04/2015

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

par Tim Atkin MW le 07/04/2015

René Gabriel

18

par René Gabriel le 01/04/2015

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

par Roger Voss le 01/04/2015

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.   — R.V.  (4/1/2015)

Wine Spectator

94-97

par James Molesworth le 30/03/2015

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.