Chateau Montrose La Dame de Montrose 2018
(Bordeaux, Saint-Estephe, France) - [JS 94] [WE 94] [DM 93] [JD 92+] [VM 92] [WA 92]

About this wine:
Established as a Second Growth in the 1855 classification, Chateau Montrose is one of the leading properties in the Medoc. Montrose is a large estate, with about 150 acres of vineyards, planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

Made to the same rigorous standards as the First Wine, from grapes grown in the same vineyard, La Dame de Montrose is the estate’s second label.

Consistently reliable and reaching maturity sooner, the wine was created in 1983 in tribute to Yvonne Charmolüe, who ran Château Montrose single-handedly from 1944 to 1960. Production varies from one year to another but accounts on average for 40 à 45% of the total production of the Montrose vineyard. Aged for 12 months in 30% new french oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

Supple and silky Merlot generally predominates in the varietal mix. Its very pronounced red fruit aromas and flavors reflect another expression of the terroir in a distinctive style which is less elaborately complex than that of the First Wine.

94 Points - James Suckling:
"Very pretty blackcurrants and blueberries with floral undertones, following through to a full body with layers of ripe, polished tannins and a rich, flavorful finish. Needs time to come around and show itself. Try after 2025." (Jan 2021)

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"The second wine of Château Montrose is a major star in its own right. With dense tannins and concentrated black fruits, it has power and richness. The wine's potential, impressive for a second wine, is very evident in the structure. Drink from 2026." - Roger Voss (5/1/2021)

93 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Visually gorgeous with bright plum colour. Black cherry and damson on the first sip, clear oak influence with flexible but far-reaching tannic structure. Some real tension and balance - no question that this has a long life ahead of it. Juicy also; for a second wine we are right up there." - Jane Anson (Nov 2020)

92+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Looking first at the second wine of this incredible Saint-Estèphe Château, the 2018 La Dame De Montrose is a blend of 52% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all brought up in 30% new French oak. Lots of blue fruits, sappy herbs, tobacco, violets, and graphite notes all emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a round, concentrated, textured mouthfeel, and enough tannins to warrant 3-4 years of bottle. A beautiful second wine with lots of Saint-Estèphe character, it will have 15-20 years of longevity." (3/11/2021)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2018 La Dame de Montrose is such a gorgeous wine. Built on a core of Merlot, La Dame is silky, sensual and impossible to resist. Cedar, new leather, spice and tobacco add lift to essential sweet red berry fruit. La Dame is the sort of wine that can pass unobserved in 2018, but that would be a mistake, as it is truly superb. This is at its most elegant." - Antonio Galloni (Mar 2021)

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2018 La Dame de Montrose is a blend of 52% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it springs from the glass with vivacious notions of redcurrant jelly, mulberries, juicy blackberries and stewed plums, giving way to suggestions of underbrush, wild sage and fertile loam. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with bright, expressive black and red berry layers, supported by plush tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long with a spicy kick." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Mar 2021)