Aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, pencil shavings and tobacco. Medium- to full-bodied, this is creamy and crunchy with open, velvety tannins and a juicy finish. 71% merlot, 23% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc.
95 points, James Suckling (Nov 2024)
The 2022 La Dame de Montrose is fabulous. It marries the power of the vintage with notable tension and freshness to balance things out. Dark cherry, mocha, crushed rocks, graphite and leather soar out of the glass. A truly magnificent wine, La Dame is a mini-Montrose in every way. Readers looking for a wine that punches well above its weight and price will find it all here. Don't miss it!
94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Jan 2025)
Floral and dark chocolate scents with black berries. Beautifully textured, with grippy tannins, pure fruit and high acidity. Plush, just-chewy blackcurrants and cherries, dark chocolate, liquorice and salty stones. Lifted, minty menthol finish. Balanced, harmonious and confident, nothing overdone. A clear upgrade from en primeur and a standout second wine.
94 points, Georgie Hindle, Decanter (Dec 2024)
One of the smart purchases this year is the 2022 La Dame de Montrose, a second wine that would embarrass numerous classified growths. Based on 71% Merlot, the Dame sees a more reductive élevage than the grand vin, which is perfectly adapted to this variety. Opening to reveal aromas of sweet cassis, cherries and berries mingled with hints of violets, spices and orange zest, it's full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with a powerful but controlled profile.
93 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate (Mar 2025)
The 2022 La Dame De Montrose is based on 71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It's a beautifully textured, medium-bodied Saint-Estèphe with red and black fruits, some spicy, flowery nuances, nicely integrated oak, and a great finish. This charming, textured, elegant, supple second wine will keep for two decades.
93 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2025)
A full, rich second wine, dominated by Merlot, gives a ripe fruit cake character to the full-bodied wine. With acidity and a dark chocolate aroma, the wine shows density and power. Drink from 2028.
93 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (Oct 2025)
First year of Pierre Graffeuille as director, and first year to focus on the historic parcels of terrace 4, this is enveloping, seductive, gourmet edges, touches of burnt caramel, spiced and concentrated, as is often the case in this vintage. 45% of production in this.
93 points, Jane Anson (Mar 2025)