CHÂTEAU MONTROSE

A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot cropped between 2nd and 27th September at 35hl/ha, the 2011 Montrose has a lighter nose than the 2010 when tasted last year, but that is to be expected. My sample in March exhibited scents of blackberry, dark chocolate and pencil lead whilst returning to the property two weeks later, there is an animally element to the aromatics, even hints of clove. The palate is medium-bodied with dusty tannins on the entry, though they appear a rounder two weeks later. It is struck through by its crisp acidity and yet it remains an introspective, masculine Montrose with an unreserved graphite, tertiary finish. In 2011, I find this Montrose to be well crafted and yet somehow, difficult to love. Rating: 89-91 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2012)

Average yield for the entire estate was 35 hl/ha. Cabernet Sauvignon 63%, Merlot 22%, Cabernet Franc 12%, Petit Verdot 3%. Oh my goodness, there seems such wonderful purity here to the fruit here on the nose; it feels dark and concentrated, but perfectly poised, showing none of the grainy, meaty, charcoaly elements seen in so many other wines. The palate shows a remarkably easy softness at first, but this gently polished layer of fruit is deceiving as there is a seam of grip and shapely tannins within it that gives it a very fine texture. It all comes together to give the wine a beautifully relaxed and effortless style on the palate, the tannins showing an elegant and finessed character, rich but precise and very cool. This is a very stylish, deceptively easy to taste, but this is no lightweight despite that. With time in the glass it becomes even more fragrant with time, showing great acidity and exotic tones to the fruit. A superb effort from Jean-Bernard Delmas and his team here, in what I believe is Jean-Bernard's final vintage. Rating: 17-18 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2012)

Lovely restrained fragrance of Cabernet fruit with an iron backbone, classic depth and firmness of a great Montrose. Drink 2018-2040. Rating: 18 www.decanter.com (Apr 2012)

63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Very dark, black core. Not very aromatic, touch of coffee and graphite. Powder fine and elegant tannins. Fresh, dry but finely layered, lots of very fine layers. Dry finesse and long too but needs lots of time. 2022-2035 Rating: 17.5 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2012)

This has aromatic range and depth of fruit, offering enticing dark currant, plum and blackberry notes that show lots of savory herb and racy chalk notes, with a long, gravelly finish. A terrific effort in one of the more heterogeneous appellations of the vintage. Rating: 91-94 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2012)

comes to the fore, and that’s what happened at Montrose in 2011. Rose petal, tar and liquorice on the nose, leading you into a wine that is bold and powerful, yet beautifully balanced, with layer upon layer of graphite, dark plums, toasty oak and sweet blackcurrant fruit. One of the wines of the vintage, this is a triumph over adversity. 20+ years. Rating: 97 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2012)

Elegant and racy wine with blueberry, blackberry and mineral aromas. Full to medium body, with fine tannins. Pretty length. Like the 2008, but with less acidity. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2012)