Montrose
Press review
Bettane & Desseauve Carnet # 30 : 9,5/10
Un des vins les plus grandioses de l'année : arôme noble et puissant d'épices, sublimation du cabernet-sauvignon, corps monumental, tension magnifique malgré l'épaisseur de la chair, tanin puissant, naturel, racé à souhait, grande allonge... Un vin d'un naturel confondant qui semble être naît tout fait, aussi grand que le fameux 1990, sinon plus grand, mais sans aucune déviation aromatique. La récolte 2003 donnera 80% (!) de grand vin et seulement 11% (!) de Dame de Montrose, au demeurant extraordinairement dense et accompli pour un second vin, même de cette origine !
Decanter # 29-2 : Decanter Award
Huge colour, marvellous spice and almost unbelievable extraction of fleshy Cabernet fruit, terrific structure and beautiful balance, a truly superb, grandly classic, wine.
Parker : 97 Maturity: -2035
The enormous 2003 boasts a dense black/purple hue and awonderful bouquet of scorched earth, blackberries, and cassis, fabulous purity, plenty of texture, and substantial tannin in the finish. This superb wine is one of the vintage's most prodigious offerings. However, patience is essential.
Wein Gourmet # 2/2004 : 96-98
Weinwisser (René Gabriel) # 4/2004 : 19/20 Maturity: 2018-2040
Wine Spectator (James Suckling) # web : 95-100
Fantastic and subtle, with blackberries, spices, light leather and cinnamon. Full-bodied, with a slow start, then it spirits off with fabulously silky tannins and a long, long finish. This is like a super 1996. The owner likes it better than his 1990 and 1989.
The property in brief
Second growth classified in 1855. With its terroir of big gravels located by the river Gironde, its classic and powerful style, Montrose is often called the Latour of Saint Estephe. Montrose needs time to express its incomparable delicacy. In the first decade, its fantastic potential are hidden behind a certain austerity. In the second decade, the wines open themselves. In the third decade, they explose and the terroir expresses itself. In the hands of the family Charmolle from 1896 to 2006, it is now run by Martin and Olivier Bouygues.
Owner: Martin & Olivier Bouygues
Manager: Philippe de Laguarigue
Cellar master: Laurent Savovitch-Vuk
Vineyard manager: Bruno Sauquet
Oenologist: Pascal Ribéreau Gayon
Blend of the 2003 vintage: 3% Cabernet Franc, 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Ageing: 65% in new barrels
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Friday, September 26, 2003
Soil: Gravels
Average age of the vines: 35 years
Yield: 33 hectolitres per hectare
Price: from € 189.13 to € 260.86
Vintage: 2003
Chateau: St. Estephe
Color: Red
