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Montrose 2022

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

This great second growth vineyard is majestically situated overlooking the Gironde in the southern section of St Estèphe. Recently purchased and re-invigorated by the Bouygues family, Montrose is on top form. Large amounts of money have been spent on stunning new facilities. Outstanding wines were produced here in 2009, 2010, 2016 and 2018 as well as a potential wine of the vintage in 2014. However the 2019 and 2020 vintages could be even greater.

The magnificent 2022 Montrose was picked from September 2nd to 22nd. It is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. 14.5% alcohol.

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Montrose

Label

Tasting Notes

The 2022 Montrose is such a compelling wine that assigning it a bracketed score seems a mere formality. A brilliant terroir, impeccable viticulture, perfectly timed harvest dates and judicious extraction have aligned to deliver a monument in the making, reminiscent of a far purer, more precise, modern-day version of the 1990 vintage at this address. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, violets, iris, pencil lead and cigar wrapper, it's full-bodied, deep and authoritative, its velvety attack segueing into a layered, elegantly muscular core that's framed by supple, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, resonant finish. A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, this only confirms Montrose's status as a de facto first growth and unquestionably one of the contemporary Médoc's very greatest estates.

99/100
William Kelley, Wine Advocate, April 2023

The 2022 Montrose was picked 2 to 22 September comprising all four grape varieties and all the Cabernet Franc, with 13% pressed wine, matured in 60% new oak. There is 14.5% alcohol this year, which is less than 2018. It has an extremely pure nose with black cherries and blueberry. Quite floral in style with hints of blood orange percolating through with time. The palate is very precise with exceptional mineralité and tension. Very focused, superb concentration, with what is becoming Montrose's trademark sense of symmetry and sustained aftertaste, this could be the finest Saint-Estèphe in 2022. 2027-2052

97/99
Neal Martin, vinous.com, May 2023

Saturated dark colour in the glass, the nose here is hugely impressive, initially subtle with notes of black fruit and incense, it expands with aire to show notes of graphite, forest fruit, barbecue and espresso. The palate is tightly wound, needing time to reveal the impactful, muscular black fruit at the core. A towering structure adds density and savour, bringing chew and freshness in equal measure. A sophisticated, structured effort, it manages to have great finesse for such a structured wine. A wine to watch again in 2022 - Montrose is on a terrific run of form.

96/99
Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners, April 2023

A very powerful and structured Montrose with steely tannins that run the length of the wine. It's compacted and muscular with an extremely long finish. Graphite and spices in the aftertaste. This should be terrific after the elevage. From organically grown grapes. 66% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.

97/98
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2023

The 2022 Montrose is composed of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, aging in 60% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls to offer a gorgeous perfume of violets, star anise, wilted roses, cumin seed, and garrigue, giving way to a core of blackcurrant pastilles, boysenberry preserves, and kirsch. The full-bodied palate is a firework display of graceful, highly nuanced fruit, featuring mineral, floral, black fruit, and red berry sparks, supported by very firm, super-ripe tannins and incredible freshness, finishing very long, vibrant, and shimmery. The yield was 31 hl/ha and the First Wine represents 50% of the 2022 production. The quality of the press wine was high this year, and 13% was included in the blend. pH 3.78, TPI 85.

98/100
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2023

The intensity and the depth of expression is clear from the start, with ripe damson and fig fruits, incense and espresso given balance and tension by pomegrante, slate, lemongrass and mandarin rind. Unrolls to show the depth and class of Montrose, has density without shouting, keeping the estate signature and character. The first full vintage for Pierre Grafeuille as estate director, working alongside long time technical director Vincent Decup. 12% press wine, pretty much exactly the same as ever, this really is a vineyard that delivers consistency.

97
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, May 2023

The 2022 Château Montrose is a classic blend of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, all of which was brought up in 60% new oak from a variety of coopers. Another absolutely brilliant wine in the vintage, it offers a saturated purple hue as well as an essence of Montrose-like bouquet of currants, blueberries, damp earth, violets, graphite, and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied, incredibly concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless has a riveting sense of purity, precision, and finesse that's hard to believe. Given its balance and purity of fruit, as well as the quality of the tannins, it's going to offer incredible pleasure with just 4-6 years of bottle age (a decade would be best) yet be just about immortal if well stored.

98/100
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, May 2023

66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.
Deep crimson hue. Aromatically complex, the Cabernet-cassis notes dominant but a hint of mint and smoke as well. Palate rich but lively with that sense of energy. Plentiful tannins but finely honed. Long with a stony, mineral note on the finish. Noble and refined. Long ageing. (JL) 14.5%
Drink 2032– 2055

18+
James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, May 2023
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.