Chateau Montrose 2017

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and a 1% splash of Petit Verdot, the 2017 Montrose wine was run off into 60% new and 40% one-year old barrels where it was aged for 18 months. The grand vin represented 37% of the estate’s total production. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose takes some time to unfurl before revealing an impressively flamboyant core of black cherry preserves, warm cassis and baked plums with hints of red currant jelly, dark chocolate, licorice, cardamom and chargrill plus a gentle waft of candied violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has fantastic intensity with a very elegant, modest weight, featuring super-ripe, finely-grained tannins and tons of freshness to lift and show-off a stunning array of gorgeous black fruit and fragrant sparks, finishing very long and refined. This is an incredibly classy, poised and sophisticated Montrose!"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Deep and shiny in color, tobacco leaf, cedar wood, pencil shavings and dark fruits appear with no effort at all. Full bodied, lively, vibrant and juicy fruits, this wine is long and intrepid with a strong tannic backbone. The tannins are perfectly polished and there is an established purity of fruit and a structure to age for decades. Like all the top vintages of Montrose, you will need to allow it time in the cellar, at least 10 to15 years, which in the world of Montrose is almost forward. The wine was made from blending 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, reaching 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.65. The Grand Vin was made from 37% of the harvest, which took place September 12 to September 29."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Extremely aromatic with currant, wild-herb and fresh-violet aromas. This is regal cabernet sauvignon at its finest. The palate has unwaveringly long and defined tannins that carry such fresh, piercingly pure, redcurrant and cassis flavors. A twin to the superb 2015? A blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot."

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur mit rubinroten Reflexen. Ein royales Bouquet mit reifen Pflaumen, schwarzen Johannisbeeren und dunklem Malz. Im zweiten Ansatz exotische Edelhölzer, Olivenpaste und Brazil-Tabak. Am mächtigen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, dann packt das Tanningerüst zu, feinmehlige Extraktsüsse und tiefe Terroirwürze. Im konzentrierten, langanhaltenden Finale schwarzbeerige Konturen gepaart mit Wacholder und eleganter Adstringenz. Hier hat das Team um Direktor Hervé Berland eine grossartige Leistung abgeliefert und sich zu Recht den 1. Platz in der Appellation verteidigt! Tipp: Don’t touch!"

DECANTER: "Delicious! This is beautifully austere, in the best way, closed in right now, but those layers of liquorice and black chocolate are unmistakable, giving intensity and concentration. A wine that would clearly merit time in bottle and is in it for the long haul. Powerful and tight with enjoyably bitter edges and notes of reduction but that only give confidence in how it will age. No frost meant a yield of 45hl/ha, 37% of which was for the grand vin. 60% new oak. Drinking Window 2027 - 2048"

JEB DUNNUCK: "Tasted on two separate occasions, the 2017 Chateau Montrose is a brilliant effort based on 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. This full-bodied, beautifully concentrated Saint-Estate offers classic Cabernet Sauvignon notes of creme de cassis, blueberries, crushed violets, and ample tobacco, with some underlying damp earth and spice notes developing with time in the glass. Balanced and beautifully textured on the palate, with both good acidity and building tannins, it reminds me of the 2012 with its classic style yet still has plenty of texture and ripe tannins. Give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 30 years or more."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A well-structured wine, this is rich in tannins and in density. The tannins show firmness, a dry edge that runs with the black-currant fruits to give a wine that will be well balanced and serious. Drink this powerful wine from 2024."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is well-built for the vintage, featuring a core of red and black currant fruit that is pure and focused, supported by a racy iron spine. Exhibits ample length, with bay leaf, lilac and warm stone notes peeking through on the finish. Should develop nicely in the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2022 through 2038."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, zarter Nougat, feine Gewürznuancen, ein Hauch von Kardamom und Gewürznelken, zart nach reifen Pflaumen. Saftig, rund und elegant, frische Kirschen und Weichseln, lebendige Säurestruktur, ein finessenreicher und animierender Stil, salzige Mineralität, bereits entwickelt und bald antrinkbar."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Good fleshy red fruit and some cassis on the nose with vanilla bean. Fruit and tannin together in a smoky, rich structure. Increasingly muscular but matched by an impressive core of brambly fruit and hints of sweet spice. Long and fine on the finish. Will need a little time."