This great second-growth vineyard is majestically situated overlooking the Gironde in the Southern section of St Estephe. Montrose is in top form, recently purchased and re-invigorated by the Bouygues family. Hervé Berland, formerly of Mouton Rothschild, is now in charge, and large amounts of money have been spent on stunning new facilities. Montrose's wine is typically a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and is matured in oak barriques (30% new) for 18 months. So Montrose wines are traditionally profoundly coloured, austere and powerful when young, yet possess a tremendous ageing potential and are quintessential when mature. Consequently, the true style of Montrose constantly forms a juicy topic for wine experts and wine 'amateurs'. However, in my view, recent years saw Montrose give way to almost mandatory long waits and storage to make this wine drinking well- the style after 2006 is friendlier and more accessible.
We have not revised our tasting since HKWS's 10-vintage verticals on Montrose and would reference RP and GG primarily as follows:
2006 is the first vintage under new owner Martin Bouygues, who convinced Jean-Bernard Delmas to come out of retirement to produce this wine; the 2006 Montrose is an undeniable success. RP commented as follows. A blend of approximately two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one-third Merlot, and a tiny dollop of Petit Verdot, the most dramatic difference between 2006 and wines made by the previous administration are that Jean Delmas produces wines with sweeter, silkier tannins. However, analytically, they are as high as those found in the great Montrose vintages of the past. 2006 is extraordinarily elegant and finesse-styled, but it exhibits stunningly concentrated, sweet blackberry and cassis fruit with hints of flowers and minerals. Full-bodied with savoury, expansive mid-palate and sweet, noble tannins, this beauty will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and should drink well for 20-25+ years. 94+ RP. Edited.
2007 is a controversial wine. GG awarded 96 points and said it is a 'Pure nose, well defined, small black fruits. The expressive palate is structured, with lots of fine tannins that are very tight and need time to soften. Will be lovely after ageing" - 96/100, Gilbert & Gaillard. Parker awarded a mere RP91with RP's comment on the 2007 vintage that 2007 is 'One of the stars of the vintage, the 2007 Montrose boasts a deep blue/purple colour as well as a sweet bouquet of creme de cassis, crushed rocks, and spring flowers. Dense and opulent with silky tannins, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, a long finish, and no hard edges, this beauty should drink well for 15+ years. Drink 2010-2025.' We believe 2007 is a lighter(qualified, still bold) and agreeable Montrose, and we thought it refreshing and friendly and found ourselves agreeing
RP95 is the score when Parker writes, '2008 is one of the vintage's superstars. This classic Montrose is not as showy or opulent as vintages 2010, 2009 or 2003. Still, it offers a dense purple colour followed by gorgeously sweet black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with loamy, earthy forest floor notes, a floral component and a long, full-bodied finish. For vintage 2008, the yields of 44 hectoliters per hectare were slightly less than the 2010s 45 hectoliters per hectare. Forget it for 5-8 years and drink it over the following 20+.' Edited
Deep ruby with a tight rim. Bright, fresh and sweet cherries, cranberry, and crushed rose petals. Some further complexities from a bouquet of forest floor aromas, truffle, humus, and mushroom. Light tones of smoky oak. Intense yet balanced. Pretty and elegant. Medium-bodied; good fruit length,
Merlot-based, with a dash Of Cabernet Franc and Malbec. ABV at 13.5%.
91 Points VertdeVIn, who writes well on Clos Rene 2014. 'The nose is quite powerful as well as relatively elegant and aromatic. It reveals notes of crushed raspberry and slight notes of wild strawberry and blackberry combined with a touch of cassis, a discreet hint of flowers, tobacco as well as a discreet touch of spices, a woody hint and an imperceptible hint of bell pepper. The mouth is fruity, mineral, elegant, fresh, relatively gourmand, a bit fleshy, and offers an acid frame, juiciness, and a good definition. In the mouth, this wine expresses notes of fleshy raspberry, fleshy strawberry and slight notes of blackberry, sour cherry and plum associated with a hint of liquorice, small touches of toasted wood and very discreet hints of chocolate tips (In the background). The tannins are fine and well-built.' Edited.
Also, 91 Vinous, who writes, 'Dark red cherries, tobacco, earthiness and brown spices are some of the notes that meld together in the 2014 Clos René. Succulent, racy and juicy to the core, 2014 should drink nicely upon release. The creamy, textured finish is particularly enticing. Edited.
We have nothing to add to Tim Atkin MW's tasting notes on Los de Marquis 2010,' Fine cassis/violets nose, a perfect Saint-Julien with the precision and elegance of a Cru Classé.' Suffice it to say that this wine displays plenty of a medium ruby tone with a tight rim. The nose of sweet kirsch, liquorice and black currant fruit in an elegant style, medium to full-body, soft but abundant tannins and a long finish. It possesses the elegance and finesse of its bigger sibling, Leoville Las Cases. Maybe slightly chill the wine down, and wait for its return to room temperature, with the alcohol hitting 13.6% in a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc.
Parker rightly reiterates that Clos de Marquis is no longer a second wine but rather one from a separate vineyard in the holdings of Leoville Las Cases. Therefore, it should be considered a different entity, although the same winemaking team and philosophy are at play.
The best score is 96 by James Suckling, who writes, 'Deep garnet in colour, the 2010 Clos du Marquis opens with medicinal cherry cough syrup scents followed by a core of plum preserves, crème de cassis, and a touch of wild sage. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is coated with maturing black fruits and dried mint flavours, framed by chewy tannins and finishing with a refreshing lift. 2020 - 2035.
