2001 Chateau Montrose (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
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A Second Growth says the 1855 Classification, Montrose has, since the 1989 vintage, secured its position as a “super second” with three 100 point wines; back to back 1989 and 1990, then again in 2009. Further to impress, seven out of the last ten vintages have scored 95 points or better. Significant investment at the property began in the 1980’s and with the purchase of the estate in 2006, investment continued and intensified thanks to the brothers Oliver and Martin Bouygues, the Chateau’s new owners. The brothers, owners of the eponymous construction company, not surprisingly decided to purchase a Chateau that yields wines constructed for the long haul with a foundation firmly set on a gravel bed ridge mixed with black sand on clay and marl, textbook for the appellation St. Estephe. The Chateau enjoys a commanding river view - overlooking the Gironde, as does Chateau Cos d’Estournel, the other Second Growth of the appellation. The other classified growths of St. Estephe are Calon-Segur 3rd Growth, Lafon-Rochet 4th Growth, and Cos Labory 5th Growth. Montrose is a serious building block for any cellar’s collection with superb aging potential. The quintessential St. Estephe.

93WA

92V

92WS

Tasted at the château, the 2001 Montrose is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 24 September and 9 October. It has quite a tightly wound bouquet that either needs a hefty decant or preferably, another 5-6 years in bottle. The scents that can be coaxed are attractive: blackberry, a touch of tar and pencil box, later Indian ink and cedar wood. The palate is medium-bodied with gently gripping tannin, a fine line of acidity and impressive harmony. This gains complexity towards the finish. Tensile, minerally and edgy, this is becoming a highly pleasurable Montrose that will surprise a few people. Sure, it does lack some persistence, however, keep an eye on this. Tasted September 2016.

93+ points, Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (Issue # Interim - Mar 2017)

Medium red-ruby. Aromas of roasted plum and nutty oak. Fat, sweet, broad and suave, with gentle flavors of redcurrant, plum and game. Aromatic and gentle in the mouth. Long, ripe finish features substantial but sweet tannins. Lovely claret.

92 points, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous (May 2004)

Modest in display, with lightly mulled currant and blackberry fruit infused with bay leaf and tobacco accents. This is sneakily long, offering a very refined chalk- and iron-fueled finish and lovely integration throughout. Echoes of savory and wet pebble at the very end give this a pleasant austerity.—Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Best from 2020 through 2030.

92 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (2018)

Alcohol By Volume: 12.5%

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$169.88

11 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

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