2017 Montrose
By Chateau Montrose
2017 Montrose from Chateau Montrose, St-Estephe, Bordeaux
Parsing through the tapestry of Bordeaux vintages, there are those years that craft a narrative so profound, they become the lexicon of collectors and connoisseurs alike; the 2017 Montrose from Chateau Montrose is poised to be enshrined among such chapters. This vintage emerges from a year marked by frosts that swept through Bordeaux, sparing no pretense. Yet, against such adversity stands this creation of poise and vitality from St-Estephe; a testament to the resilient terroir and the deft hands that shepherd its yield.
A Vintage Sculpted by Elements and Expertise
The narrative of 2017 in St-Estephe speaks of a growing season bookended by rigours - frost at onset and dryness as its denouement. The 2017 Montrose has been sculpted as much by the forces of nature as by the virtuosic precision of its makers. In lieu of yielding to climatic hardships, this vintage gleams with an allure that investors keen on long-term appreciation ought to note with alacrity.
The wine coalesces notes of cassis and blackberry with an undercurrent of graphite - an aromatic chiaroscuro that channels the intensity of the small yet concentrated berries harvested that autumn. On the palate, it unfurls with structured tannins and a profound depth – a prelude to exemplary ageing potential. A notable freshness permeates the entirety of its profile, defying the warmth of the year and imparting a silhouette of both structure and agility.
Investment Worthiness: Bearing Promises for the Patience-Endowed
In these nascent stages, 2017 Montrose from Chateau Montrose cautions the eager; patience will be rewarded in abundance to those who let this composition serenade their cellars over time. As a piece drenched in both maturity and promise, it presents an intriguing proposition for contemplation within one's investment ensemble.
As I lay bear its virtues today, upon my word as a steward of oenological chronicles for four decades, I find an assuredness in the 2017 Montrose's potential to orchestrate a crescendo in value as it does in taste. Indeed, it holds a ticket to regale audiences at galas yet uncharted amidst future times' anthology.
Market price (USD)
$1,190.28
12x75cl
Highest score
98
POP score
54.17
Scores and tasting notes
The 2017 Montrose is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep purple-black in color, the nose is a little closed at first, but with coaxing, it opens to reveal remarkable earth and exotic spice notes of crushed rocks, black truffles, star anise, cassia and fenugreek over a core of crème de cassis, blackberry preserves, violets and blueberry pie with touches of cigar box, charcuterie and black soil. Medium-bodied with a rock-solid frame and an exquisitely ripe, very fine-grained texture, it has wonderful freshness with electric energy and a very long, minerally finish. Possessing great poise and intensity, this is one of the greatest Montrose's I have tasted!
Wine Advocate - Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com
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!
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 16 March 2020
This is pure and tight with gorgeous cabernet sauvignon character of blackcurrants, blueberries and crushed stones. Full-bodied, yet compacted and polished. It shows a long and beautiful tannin texture at the end. Just rolls off the palate.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com
The 2017 Montrose represents 37% of the total production this year and it was cropped at around 45hl/ha. It has a little more volume and intensity compared to the Cos d’Estournel that was tasted immediately prior to my visit. Blackberry, raspberry, cedar and pressed flowers bloom in the glass, though there is a noticeable change with aeration after 20 minutes – hints of juniper and bay leaf, rendering a more nuanced and complex array of aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannin and it feels a little chalky in the mouth, yet also tensile and certainly extremely focused. There is already a palpable sense of energy in situ, well structured and vivid, though not as complex or as nuanced as the 2016 Montrose on the finish since the growing season forbade that. I appreciate the pastille-like purity on the aftertaste and the potent tang of cracked black pepper and graphite that hang around for 45 seconds after the wine has departed. It is a fine, very classic Montrose and I suspect more approachable than those of yesteryear. Tasted twice at the château.
Neal Martin - Neal Martin - vinous.com - May '18
The 2017 Montrose is wonderfully polished and nuanced. Silky tannins and mid-weight structure confer finesse to a Montrose that possesses superb harmony from start to finish. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. In 2017, the Grand Vin (35% of the production) is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Because of the late season rains, Montrose has more Cabernet Sauvignon than is typically the case. The winemaking team opted for a large number of smaller-lot vinifications (82 instead of 50-ish, to be exact), in order to optimize picks according to ripeness. Although alcohol alone can never tell the whole story of a wine, at 13.5% alcohol, Montrose has a very attractive freshness to it. The Grand Vin represents about 37% of the chateau's production. The 2017 is all class.
Antonio Galloni - Antonio Galloni - vinous.com - May '18
This has nice breadth, with cherry and cassis notes moving through atop light tobacco and warm earth flavors. Very bright savory and iron elements add lift and cut through the finish. Tight, but everything is in place.—J.M.
Wine Spectator - James Molesworth - winespectator.com