Chateau Montrose 2018

WEINWISSER: "Tiefes Purpur mit opaker Mitte. Sehr vielschichtiges Bouquet mit Wildkirsche, edler Marokkominze und Nougatpralinen. Im zweiten Ansatz Holundersaft, dunkles Edelholz und tasmanischer Bergpfeffer. Am dichten und trotzdem sublimen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur und betörender Extraktfülle, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und durchtrainiertem Körper. Im gebündelten nicht enden wollenden Finale ein Donnerhall von kleinen schwarzen Beeren, tiefschürfender Terroirwürze und kakaoartiger Adstringenz. Der Gigant hat sein Ziel erreicht und die Höchstnote zu Recht errungen – Chapeau!"

JEB DUNNUCK: "A full-bodied powerhouse as well as a perfect wine, the 2018 Château Montrose is a final blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc that was raised in 60% new French oak. Boasting a deep purple hue as well as awesome levels of crème de cassis and smoky blackberry fruits and notes of tobacco, lead pencil, scorched earth, and chocolate, it's deep, opulent, and incredibly concentrated on the palate, with no shortage of mid-palate depth, tannins, or length. It reminds me a little of a fresher version of the 2003, although there's more Cabernet Sauvignon in 2018 as well as less Merlot. It has that classic Montrose minerality and backward, mineral-laced style, yet I suspect this will be drinkable in just 5-6 years and should evolve into a modern-day legend from this terroir."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Inky in color, the wine is opaque. On the nose, spice box, smoke, espresso, roasted black and red fruits, flowers and 5 spice come through. On the palate the wine is intense, full-bodied, rich, dense, opulent, sweet, fresh, long and concentrated. The depth of flavor is impressive. Black and red fruits build and expand. The tannins are ripe, round and refined. With a depth of flavor, a flamboyant character and a non stop finish, this is a rockstar in the making. The wine was made from blending 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, 14.5% ABV."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2018 Montrose is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a good amount of air to unlock the vibrant scents of crushed blackberries, preserved plums and cassis with suggestions of star anise, cedar chest, underbrush, Indian spices and iron ore, plus an emerging waft of violets. The full-bodied palate features the most exquisitely ripe tannins, offering a rock-solid backbone with tons of freshness lifting the taut, muscular fruit, finishing long and mineral laced. Going back to this wine over a period of hours and then days further reveals a Montrose of great opulence, richness and depth. Incidentally, the IPT level this year is 82, which indicates a very high level of tannins, and yet they are so, so ripe. The alcohol is around 14.5%. But sit back, close your eyes and forget the numbers—this is pure hedonism in its youth with a fantastic 40+ years of cellaring ahead of it, during the course of which do not be at all surprised if you are blown away by a three-digit experience."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Purity and beauty on the nose with blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, crushed-stone and violet character. A full-bodied red with masses of polished tannins and intense flavors of currants and blackberries. Juicy finish. Super depth to this. Goes on for minutes. Try after 2027."

DECANTER: "Rich and deep with beautifully nuanced dark chocolate, mocha, cocoa bean and liquorice. Just full of understated power and silky tannins. This is gorgeous and among my top wines of the Left Bank. As it opens in the glass you get sweet black cherry and cassis flesh, and a sense of lilting sappiness. Great stuff from Montrose. Drinking Window 2028 - 2045"

FALSTAFF: "Sehr dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Attraktive Nuancen von Edelholz und Nougat, dunkles Waldbeerkonfit, Lakritze, ein Hauch von kandierten Orangenzesten, ein Hauch von Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. Kompakt, straffe Textur, reife Herzkirschen, angenehme Extraktsüße, tragende, noch präsente Tannine, feinwürziger Abgang, ein Hauch von Ingwer und weißem Pfeffer im Nachhall, sehr gute Länge, frisch und anhaftend, noch von einer ersten Trinkreife entfernt. (2025–2060)"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This wine confirms the place of Montrose among the top Bordeaux estates. With its rich tannins and powerful structure, it exudes concentration and density. But the wine also shows a sense of style. Fruit purity will make it impressive and allow it to age for many years. Drink this wine from 2028."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Dark and winey, with a well-built core laden with cassis and dark plum puree while flashes of anise, lilac and charcoal fill in throughout. Finish has hints of chestnut and warm earth for a burly edge, but there's ample fruit for balance. Plenty grippy in the end too; cellaring required. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2036. Tasted twice, with consistent notes."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Very popular with the tasters today. Dark crimson. Rich and treacly on the nose. Very sweet and exotic. All that sweet fruit and all that tannin underneath. Pretty superlative."