Chateau Montrose 2022

WEINWISSER: "66 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 % Merlot, 8 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot, 30 hl/ha. Dicht verwobenes, tiefgründiges Bouquet, eine volle Ladung dunkles Graphit, exotisches Edelholz und zartes Fliederparfüm. Im zweiten Ansatz frischer schwarzer Bergpfeffer, Olivenpaste und Wildkirsche. Am komplexen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, körnigem Extrakt, gutem Druck, energiegeladener Rasse. Spiegelt die DNA von Montrose perfekt wider mit seinem verlangenden Tanningerüst sowie dem muskulösen Körper mit perfekt definierten Muskeln. Im konzentrierten Finale schwarzbeerige Konturen, tiefschürfende Terroirwürze und feinkörnige Adstringenz. Ganz großes Montrose-Kino, dafür kann es nur die Bestnote geben. Wie so oft ist hier Geduld angesagt. 2032 – 2065."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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."

JEB DUNNUCK: "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."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, tinitig, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Reifes Cassis, feine Kirschfrucht, ein Hauch von kandierte Veilchen, ungemein facettenreich und verführerisch. Kraftvoll, saftig, schwarze Kirschen, Brombeeren, tolle Frische, perfekte Tannine, mineralisch und enorm lange anhaftend, salzig im Abgang, feine Schokonote im Rückgeschmack, riesiges Zukunftspotenzial."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: „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."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Almost opaque in color, the wine is equally dark in character with its core of blackberries, black currants, black cherries, and licorice. In the nose, you also find flowers, citrus, and a kitchen full of spices. The level of depth on the palate is almost off the charts, yet, the wine somehow remains light on its feet. There is intensity matched with purity, elegance and seamlessness in the finish that holds your focus for at least 60 seconds. Clearly, this is one of the great vintages of Montrose with a uniqueness of character that fans of the estate should have in their cellar. Lastly, it is important to note there is no feeling of heat, jam or over ripeness here. The wine is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. 14.5% ABV, pH 3.78. Harvesting took place September 2 - September 22. Yields were 31 hectoliters per hectare. The Grand Vin was produced using only 58% of the harvest. The wine is aging in 60% new, French oak barrels for 18 months before bottling. Drink from 2030-2065."

VINUM: "Zurückhaltende, besonders komplexe Aromatik, feinwürzig, fruchtig und blumig; glaskarer Auftakt, gemächliche Entwicklung über tragenden, festen, gleichsam granitenen Gerbstoffen, enorme Tiefe, Spannkraft und Länge; grandioser Montrose, gehört zu den Knüllern des Jahres."

JAMES SUCKLING: "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."

DECANTER: "A gorgeous richness straight away, you can feel the intensity and concentration but the texture is so sleek, almost silky yet weighty, juicy and intense. Supple but firm with crushed stones, liquorice, tobacco, dark chocolate, plums and blackcurrants. Tannins are firm and at the fore, but cool and crisp with bite and wet stone elements give an instant minerality. The fruit almost takes a back seat, ripe and black in nature, but quieter than the other elements and overall frame. Juicy and succulent, an appealing shot of acidity initially, mouthwatering and vibrant, then the chalky tannins come in and give this a sense of seriousness. This carries the strength of the vintage well, focused and precise with detail and a sense of energy that is so impactful. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Harvest 2-22 September. 58% grand vin - one of the biggest proportions. There was 53% grand vin in 2018."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "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."