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  • Nick's Import

2019 Chateau Montrose

Saint Estephe, Bordeaux, FRANCE
$499. 00
Bottle
$5988.00 Dozen
Cellar: Drink now - 20 Years (2024-2044)
ABV: 14.5%
Closure: Cork

This historic large estate, situated atop the Gironde in Saint-Estèphe, is renowned for producing some of Bordeaux's most exceptional and enduring wines. Over the past 15 years it has enjoyed significant investment, resulting in the establishment of a state-of-the-art winery and cellars. Substantial efforts have also being made in the vineyards. When Olivier and Martin Bouygues acquired Château Montrose from the Charmolüe family in 2006, the property boasted 17 hectares of pre-clonal vines dating back to the early 20th century. Through a meticulous massale selection program 80 promising clones, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, have been identified for replanting purposes. Similar endeavors are now focused on Merlot, utilizing a plot behind the château acquired from Phélan-Ségur. Additionally, experimental cover crops are being introduced, and cultivation techniques are being adjusted to minimize disturbance to the soil microbiome. The winemaking approach remains traditional, with macerations lasting approximately three weeks and maturation taking place in around 60% new oak barrels.

Impenetrable pitch black heart with a deep dark red black hue. Captivating the olfactory senses are intense aromatics of red and black currant, violets, hints of liquorice and earthy graphite. Spicy cedar, tobacco and faint fresh herb notes are also evident. Rich and powerful yet refined and majestic in its structure, red to black currant fruits flood the palate with some black olive, earth, tobacco, dried herbs and spicy cedar lending complexity. Graphite like tannins provide the framework. Elegance and finesse personified it finishes long yet sturdily structured.
Drink over the next 10-20 years plus.
Alc. 14.5%

Direct ex-chateau releases 2024.

Other Reviews...
The 2019 Montrose is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Rich, inky and towering in concentration, the 2019 possesses off the charts intensity and tons of structure to back it up. Succulent black cherry, plum, tobacco, gravel and licorice infuse the 2019 with striking depth. The 2019 is not quite as opulent as some recent vintages, and that's a good thing. Readers will find a regal wine that marries elegance with power. Unforgettable. Tasted two times. Drink: 2034-2069.
100 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The 2019 Montrose has a razor-sharp bouquet, a mélange of red and black fruit, touches of pencil box and cedar. Understated at first, it unfurls temptingly with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, fine acidity, blood orange infusing the black fruit with pencil lead towards the finish that fans out with style. There is a sense of grandeur to this wine that is compelling. Montrose? Stunning. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Drink 2028-2060.
98 points
Neal Martin – Vinous

As I wrote last year, the 2019 Montrose is performing very well, wafting from the glass with a dramatic, perfumed bouquet of wild berries and cassis mingled with notions of lilac, violets, pencil shavings and licorice, framed by nicely integrated new oak. Full-bodied, layered and seamless, it's deep and multidimensional, with lively acids, beautifully refined tannins and a long, resonant finish. While analytically it's almost as powerful as the 2018, the 2019 is much more suave, sensual and polished, its tannic structure and alcohol more harmoniously integrated into its sweet core of fruit. Drink: 2027-2065.
97 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Dec 2023)

The flagship 2019 Château Montrose is also brilliant, although it's not going to match the all-time greats from this estate. Gorgeous cassis, graphite, damp earth, cedar pencil, and tobacco are just some of the nuances here, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a pure, graceful, layered mouthfeel, building tannins, and a great finish. It doesn't have the overall density or mid-palate of the 2018 or 2016, but it’s flawlessly balanced and just incredibly impressive. Showing more and more tannins with time in the glass, it will need a decade of bottle age and will evolve for 30+ years. Drink: 2032-2052.
97 points
Jeb Dunnuck

Blueberries, cracked white and black pepper with dried flowers. Some crushed stone and slate, too. Full-bodied with tannins that grow on the palate and continue on. It’s polished and very fine with lovely length. Drink after 2027.
97 points
James Suckling

A generous and abundant nose full of fruit and aromatic intensity followed by a gorgeous mouthfeel showcasing fruit density and concentration wrapped up in soft, velvety-smooth tannins. Just so much depth but also refinement here, it feels well made with just the right amount of fruit, toasty spice, tannins, freshness and acidity. The overall structure is gently framing all the elements - big and bold but quietly confident. The tannin impact is also enjoyable giving a feeling of approachability despite the long life ahead. Just superb - one of the best in 2019. A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. 12% press wine. 60% new oak. Drink: 2029-2046.
99 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter