| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2012 Montrose (57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot), is rich, broad, and dense ruby/purple, with substantial tannins still to shed. It is a rather masculine, medium to full-bodied Montrose, with cassis, crushed rock and spice. This wine will need bottle age because of the tannin profile, should hit its prime in another 7-8 years, and last for another 20-25. This is another wine with the alcohol pushing an impressive 14% and a finished pH of 3.7 – two characteristics of a very ripe, high-quality vintage. Drink 2022-2048
Tasted as a barrel sample at the château. The Grand Vin, representing 53% of production, is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It is being matured in 60% new oak. The nose offers plenty of fruit, perhaps even more than Cos d'Estournel with ebullient dark cherries, dark chocolate and black plum scents, although at this stage it does not have the complexity of a top Montrose. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe tannins that are obviously fully ripe. It is not a complex Montrose, perhaps just a little one-dimensional compared to others. But there is certainly good volume, soft in the mouth (some prudent pumping over here in the winery) with plenty of primal black fruit to enjoy on the finish. It will probably constitute a more approachable Montrose, but it is well made. Tasted April 2013.
Fascinating aromas of blackberries with cacao and buttery notes. This is a full-bodied red combining well-rounded tannins, lovely acidity and a mouth-watering finish. Yet turns firm and powerful. Drink in 2020.
Muscular tannins, bitter chocolate shavings. Feels upright and military, the polar opposite to Cos d'Estournel, in the way that Mouton is so different to Lafite. It's enjoyable, has a long life ahead, still austere at 10 years old, tobacco, cigar, you feel the architecture and the confidence as it sretches out through the palate, successful but reserved. Harvest September 24 to October 20.
75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, on clay and limestone. Restrained on the nose with just a touch of cassis. Dark and dry on the palate, firm and savoury and not very giving but has a rather attractive severity. Firm, dry finish. (JH)
This is not as rich and powerful as the celebrated 2010, nor is it quite as good as the 2011 in my
view, but it is still a firm, thick-skinned red with impressive concentration. The wine certainly
needs time in the barrel and bottle to come together, but the component parts are all there: black
fruits, firmish tannins, subtle oak and a lift of refreshing acidity. A classic Montrose.
Drink: 2022-40
The inky/purple-colored 2012 offers up scents of white chocolate, creme de cassis, acacia flowers, crushed rocks and forest floor. The tannins are surprisingly soft as the pH is about 3.7, which is slightly higher than the 2010's 3.6. This dense, full-bodied wine is still somewhat monolithic, but it is loaded with concentration and power as well as a long finish. While not totally formed, all the component parts are present. The 2012 will not match the level of the 2009 and 2010, but it should stand out as one of the highlights of 2012.
Only 52% of the production made it into the 2012 Montrose, a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon (harvested between October 13 and 20), 37% Merlot (picked during the third week of September) and a tiny amount of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The pH was 3.7 and I suspect the alcohol level pushes 14%. It is one of the top successes of the vintage. As new administrator Herve Berland indicated, the severe six-week drought caused the Cabernet skins to become very thick, thus resisting the huge rainfall that fell between October 7 and 9. The late harvest dates suggest very ripe Cabernet Sauvignon, which appears to be exactly what has occurred.
This shows a lovely finish with ultra-fine tannins and pretty fruit. Refined and long. Plenty of ripe and clean fruit. Tangy and fresh. Shows careful viticulture and winemaking.
