Already at the first remontages - or pump-overs - the 2014 Chateau Montrose revealed its dense and deep colours. The balance was good despite a slightly high alcohol degree. Tasting after maceration suggests an excellent quality which was confirmed at the futures tasting. The 2014 Montrose is of rare quality and style, result of the work of a new team and a skilfully redesigned work tool. This great Saint-Estèphe is 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, and offers astonishing wine characteristics. Aromatically dense and precise, with a both strong and fine tannic structure, this delicate wine is the representation of an iron hand in a velvet glove. It is a new, captivating Montrose.
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.