La Dame de Montrose 2023

Still marked by the élevage, smoky and floral notes, dark fruit; soft attack, well balanced, fine-grained tannins, long aromatic length and a spicy finish. Very well balanced.

Crisp and crunchy cranberry aromas on the nose, fresh and vibrant – herbal, floral, fruity. Smooth and supple, so lively, bright and acidic, really lifted and almost verging on tart. I love it though, it manages to be fresh yet with ripe tannins that slowly expand in the mouth while also giving structure and a well-defined outline. Streamlined and straight. Polished and characterful with lovely purity of fruit. Ageing for 12 months, using 5% foudre, 5% amphora, 10% new oak and the rest aged barrels. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend.

61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. A touch of sweetness from the Merlot, then acidity and tension. Perhaps a bit lean on the mid-palate. Usually improves in bottle, so it could warrant a higher score. (JL)

Orange blossoms, flowers, red berries, and black cherry aromas show up with ease. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, vibrant, fresh, long, and spicy. The fruits are clean, energized, and lively. This is going to offer its significant charms shortly after release. The wine blends 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2027-2040. 91-93 pts.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Delicate floral cherry fruit, a hint of red forest berries, with candied orange zest in the background. Full-bodied, round and elegant, fine tannins, pleasant acidity structure, already well developed, a multi-faceted food companion.

61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 48 hl/ha. Delicate bouquet, red currant, chilled wild fruit tea and elegant iris perfume. On the sublime palate, with a silky texture, perfectly balanced verve, a mineral core and a well-trained frame. In the energetic, finely aromatic finish, blue berries, sandalwood and a majestic astringency. One of the best second wines of this vintage.

Silky tannins with grip and intensity, a lovely balance of texture and fresh acidities. Slate and pumice stone grip, this is delicious, with appellation typicity in its powerful black fruits, but measured with a saline kick on the finish. In organic conversion, to be certified in 2025.

Score: 91-93. The nose relaxes you, like the warm sea of the Seychelles, with a multitude of ripe, balanced fruits that are nonetheless very refined, airy, and as refreshing as mountain air. This refinement also shows on the palate, very precise, with an aromatic concentration that increases quickly, bringing tremendous energy to the mouthfeel. The fruit is very powerful, with a lively acidity.

A lovely fruity nose, precise, ripe, fresh, taut, juicy, with a touch of graphite, power and stretched, airy, peppery concentration. It shows notes of violet, pulpy/juicy cherry and, more lightly, cornflower, with touches of graphite, incense, small dense/juicy fruits, and a discreet hint of tobacco, saffron and clove in the background. The palate is beautifully juicy, offering pulpy juiciness, freshness, tension, precision, and a charming airy, elongated feel. It reveals notes of juicy/pulpy blackberry, pulpy/bright purple plum and, more lightly, juicy/pulpy cherry, joined by touches of bright red berries as well as hints of toasty notes, star anise, a hint of cardamom, and graphite. Good length. Airy power and concentration. A subtle softness on the finish.