CHÂTEAU MONTROSE

Dense, irony Cabernet nose and deep chalky fruit typical of Montrose. Rich but with clarity and precision, robust yet elegant - one for the long term. (Outstanding St-Estèphe, Decanter.) Drinking range: 2022 - 2045 Rating: 95 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2015)

The 2014 Montrose is one of the most intriguing wines of the vintage. An elegant, beautifully layered wine, the 2014 Montrose comes across as incredibly silky and polished. The typical Montrose power, richness and breath take a backseat to a total sense of refinement, as the 2014 is a remarkably nuanced and noble wine. Beams of acidity and minerality give the finish its salivating energy and brightness. Given that Montrose is slow to develop, my sense is that the 2014 is not ready to show all of its cards just yet. Today, it's all about potential, and there is plenty of that here. Sweet red cherry plum, dried flowers and spices are some of the notes that are laced into the exquisite, alluring finish. The blend is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that represents 47% of the total production. Rating: 93-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2015)

Very muted nose. Seems rich and heavy but not that expressive aromatically. Big and bold and ambitious with a good balance between fruit and tannins. Acid reasonably well in check. And very definitely St-Estèphe. Pretty brutal – without the charm and glamour of Cos – but probably very true to the archetype. Good tannin management but nothing at all confected or too modern. Inky finish. Drinking range: 2024 - 2040 Rating: 17 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2015)

Rich and ripe fruited the nose had depth the start of the palate sweet with some rich flavours. Lighter and fresher in the middle purity the fruit supported by fine tannins. The richness on the back palate is underpinned by freshness the finish long and fragrant. Drinking range: 2027 - 2040 Rating: 92-95 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (Apr 2015)

For several people, this was one of the wines of the vintage, but it didn't quite sing for me, partly because of the high level of oak in the sample. It's certainly a rich, densely coloured wine with sumptuous black fruits, a hint of orange zest and a tannic core. Just give the oak time to integrate. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 93 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2015)

Tasted at the château, the 2014 Montrose builds on the promise it showed in barrel with gorgeous blackberry, raspberry, cedar and orange sorbet scents that are extremely pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very precise acidity and layers of crisp black fruit laced with vanilla from the new oak at the moment. That will be subsumed in time. What you have here is a very precise, multi-layered, almost sensual Montrose that is going to delight many for years to come. This is highly recommended—one of the finest Left Bank wines this vintage. Tasted September 2016. Drinking range: 2024 - 2050 Rating: 96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Mar 2015)

This is a fabulous young red with blackberries, currants and wet earth. Full body, firm tannins. Very long finish. It really takes off. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Mar 2015)