Château Montrose 2013

As always, very consistent in its modern, concentrated, extract-rich style: dense, with powerful tannins already somewhat polished by the ageing, and a fresh, fruity finish. Absolutely needs to mature.

Lovely cassis nose, smooth and almost silky fruit, lots of charm.

Aromas of black currant and dried flowers such as violets. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a delicate feel. Fruity finish. Seamless tannins. Drink now.

Medium bodied, surprisingly early drinking Montrose which is perhaps more interesting on the nose than on the fresh, spicy, charming palate. For consumers not willing to wait for vintages like 2010 that take 20 years to come around, this is a nice, easy to drink style of Montrose.

Youthful appearance with a slight purple hue, medium to deep ruby-red. Very fine nose with good depth. Quite multi-layered here, with inky dark fruit, blackberry, cassis, ripe herbs like sage, with dark plum and elegant toastiness in the background. Fine tobacco, rather like a Cuban cigar. Also with good purity and a slight hint of minerality. Good bite on the palate. Fine fruit density. This is really medium to full-bodied, but with a clear emphasis on fruit. I think the extract is already quite soft and subtle. So not a lot of tannin. Bright, fresh acidity. Very elegant fruit flavors, notably blackcurrant and plum. Elegant spiciness. A long, lingering finish. A good sensation of purity on the finish. A slight touch of minerality and very discreet smokiness. A very fine wine that is already accessible, I would say. It should obviously age for a long time, but it should drink well fairly early.

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. 60% was selected as the Grand Vin. Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with violet highlights at the rim. A restrained start: floral, tobacco notes, finely iodized black pepper, tar and a touch of currants; reserved, almost reticent. On the palate, noble, showing good flesh, blueberry fruit, licorice. An introverted Montrose classic with medium drive but long lingering aromas. Reminiscent of 1994, 1998, 2004. Could reach 19/20. As it stands, definitely the best Saint-Estèphe!

MONTROSE 2013 LIKE 1998? During the tasting, I had already noted a possible comparison with similar vintages like 1998. For Montrose’s director Hervé Bérland, that’s exactly the case. While other estates mostly reported half a crop or even less, Montrose was only down 20%. They were spared the rot-inducing rain on October 4 and were able to wait. Fortunately so, because it was almost impossible to find pickers on those days as the whole Médoc was harvesting to get ahead of the rising rot. They could then wait and gained tannin ripeness. It did rain lightly during the harvest, but that wasn’t a real issue. P.S. Montrose inaugurated its new cellar during En Primeur week. A chai of impressive beauty and size. Tasting note: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. 60% was selected as Grand Vin. Deep purple-garnet, dense at the core, with violet hues at the rim. Restrained start: floral, tobacco, a fine iodine note, black pepper, tar, and a touch of currants; reserved, almost reticent. On the palate, elevated, showing good flesh, blueberry fruit, licorice. An introverted Montrose classic with medium drive but long aftertaste. In the vein of 1994, 1998, 2004. Could end up at 19/20. As it stands, it’s in any case the best Saint-Estèphe!

(68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot) Deep, spicy, classic bouquet: tobacco, black berries, subtle plum, smoke, mocha, a hint of chocolate. Powerful, aromatic, rustic palate with good fruit, plenty of fine tannins, classic structure, intense dark aromatics, long, firm finish with good lingering flavors. 18/20 2022 - 2038

This is enjoyable, and as you find in most instances in 2013, the gap between the main estate wine and its second label is wide. Enjoyably supple tannin texture, and there is a charming unfurling of woodsmoke, liquorice and pencil-shaving notes across the blackberry and raspberry fruit. Harvest from September 26 to October 16. 70% of the blend in the first wine. Yield of 30 hl/ha (with Merlot particularly low). Managing director Hervé Berland. No chaptalisation at Montrose except for two small plots of Merlot, the first to be picked.

This was a cool, rainy, and very challenging vintage! The 2013 Montrose is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, with pH 3.49. Medium garnet in color, it leaps from the glass with notes of cherry cordial, licorice, cast-iron pan, and raspberry coulis, leading to wafts of rose oil and espresso. The medium-bodied palate is bright and refreshing, with grainy, well-managed tannins and plenty of perfume to give a lingering finish. This a very impressive wine from such a difficult vintage.

All supple and delicate thanks to its lovely Merlots, with harmonious tannins, though a slight lack of tension on the retronasal finish.

Intense, vibrant color. Fruity, creamy, and complex nose. Broad on the attack, juicy mid-palate, flavorful, then powerful, finishing slightly tannic, fully in line with the wine’s profile.