2018 Chateau Montrose

Red Bordeaux Blend

France / Bordeaux / Medoc / Saint-Estephe

$225
JD 100
RP 98
V 97
Size:
Quantity:

The 1855 Classification of Medoc & Graves, Deuxieme Grand Cru

2018 Château Montrose, Saint-Estephe, France

2018 marks an important step in the conversion of our vineyard to sustainable viticulture. The weather conditions resulted in strong pressure from parasites, requiring extreme vigilance. Vineyard management was complex, therefore, but the direction of our environmental approach was firmly maintained. The fine weather and the heat at the end of summer, comparable to 2009, made the vintage, which expressed incredible potential in the cellar.

The year started with a very rainy winter. Spring was wet and warm and bud burst came late. Early flowering came just before some rainstorms in early June, leading to slight problems with poor fruit set. The very strong pressure from mildew did not distract us from our move towards sustainable viticulture and we accepted the prospect of a significant drop in yields.

The hot and dry summer was marked by strong water stress as from the end of July. These weather conditions tended to limit berry growth but strongly increased their concentration.

Harvest took place under perfect conditions. In the cellar, given the small size of the grapes (20% below average) the ratio of skins to juice was definitely in flavor of skins. The first extractions, more carefully controlled than ever, quickly yielded very concentrated juices of exceptional richness. Our meticulous work on the press wine continued : 6 very high quality batches supplemented the 61 batches of free-run and enriched the base for our blends.

The first tastings show the signs of a very great vintage, a subtle combination of the fruity aromatic profile of the 2009 and the precision of the 2016.

Period of Harvest

From September 17th to October 5th

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon : 72%, Merlot : 20%, Cabernet Franc : 6%, Petit Verdot : 2%

Tasting Notes

The colour is dark, a deep and intense ruby colour with incredible density.

The nose is delicate and very complexe. With aeration, the nose reveals aromas of black fruit and white flowers accompanied by subtle smoky notes.

On the palate, the attack is full with exceptional aromatic richness. Powerful and silky, it offers incredible lenght and finesse.

A classy, elegant and very precise wine that perfectly reflects the signature of our terroir.

JD 100

Jeb Dunnuck

A full-bodied powerhouse as well as a perfect wine, the 2018 Château Montrose is a final blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc that was raised in 60% new French oak. Boasting a deep purple hue as well as awesome levels of crème de cassis and smoky blackberry fruits and notes of tobacco, lead pencil, scorched earth, and chocolate, it's deep, opulent, and incredibly concentrated on the palate, with no shortage of mid-palate depth, tannins, or length. It reminds me a little of a fresher version of the 2003, although there's more Cabernet Sauvignon in 2018 as well as less Merlot. It has that classic Montrose minerality and backward, mineral-laced style, yet I suspect this will be drinkable in just 5-6 years and should evolve into a modern-day legend from this terroir. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck. Tasting date: March 11, 2021. Drinking window: 2027-2077.
RP 98

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 98+) The 2018 Montrose is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a good amount of air to unlock the vibrant scents of crushed blackberries, preserved plums and cassis with suggestions of star anise, cedar chest, underbrush, Indian spices and iron ore, plus an emerging waft of violets. The full-bodied palate features the most exquisitely ripe tannins, offering a rock-solid backbone with tons of freshness lifting the taut, muscular fruit, finishing long and mineral laced. Going back to this wine over a period of hours and then days further reveals a Montrose of great opulence, richness and depth. Incidentally, the IPT level this year is 82, which indicates a very high level of tannins, and yet they are so, so ripe. The alcohol is around 14.5%. But sit back, close your eyes and forget the numbers—this is pure hedonism in its youth with a fantastic 40+ years of cellaring ahead of it, during the course of which do not be at all surprised if you are blown away by a three-digit experience. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. Issue date: March 31, 2021. Drinking window: 2024-2064.
V 97

Vinous

The 2018 Montrose is dazzling. Whereas so many 2018s are opulent and broad, Montrose is a wine of vertical explosive power. Ripe Cabernet aromatics soar out of the glass, making a strong first impression. Black cherry, leather, licorice, graphite and menthol develop later as the 2018 starts to open in the glass. The energy, vibrancy and drive here are palpable right out of the gate. Montrose is one of real stars of 2018. Don't miss it! Reviewed by Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: March 2021. Drinking window: 2028 - 2058.

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SHIPPING: During warm summer weather, we recommend to only ship within the United States with Same Day or Next Day Air service to protect the wines from environmental damage. If you would like to waive this protection by shipping Ground, we will request a waiver be signed.

PACKAGING: Our premium wines need optimal temperature consistency, therefore are packaged in EPS foam shippers with gel pack (when needed) and shipped only during ideal weather temperatures.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, wine bottles will be removed from case and shipped inside a foam shipper box for safety (unless otherwise requested). The wooden case will be shipped separately at Ground service. If faster service is necessary please contact us.

WEATHER HOLD: In adverse temperature conditions, we reserve the right to withhold shipment until ideal temperatures return unless we receive explicit instructions via email to release the wines, voiding any guarantee. We will contact you if a hold is necessary.

FULFILLMENT: Shipments are via UPS.

  • Orders received Monday - Thursday before 2:00 p.m. will typically ship the same day.
  • Orders received Thursday 2:00 p.m. ~ Sunday will ship on Monday.

DELIVERY:

  • Same Day service within Los Angeles Metro area may be available if order is placed before noon, but not guaranteed. Please contact us directly at (626)714-7006 to facilitate expedited service.
  • During extreme temperatures, all shipments are recommended for Next Day Air.

Adult Signature: By law, all shipments of alcohol must be received and authorized by an adult. Our delivery carriers will not release packages without an adult signature and additional charges may be incurred if the package requires withholding or redirection.

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We ship within the United States to: Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), and Wyoming (WY).

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
JD 100

Jeb Dunnuck

A full-bodied powerhouse as well as a perfect wine, the 2018 Château Montrose is a final blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc that was raised in 60% new French oak. Boasting a deep purple hue as well as awesome levels of crème de cassis and smoky blackberry fruits and notes of tobacco, lead pencil, scorched earth, and chocolate, it's deep, opulent, and incredibly concentrated on the palate, with no shortage of mid-palate depth, tannins, or length. It reminds me a little of a fresher version of the 2003, although there's more Cabernet Sauvignon in 2018 as well as less Merlot. It has that classic Montrose minerality and backward, mineral-laced style, yet I suspect this will be drinkable in just 5-6 years and should evolve into a modern-day legend from this terroir. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck. Tasting date: March 11, 2021. Drinking window: 2027-2077.
RP 98

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 98+) The 2018 Montrose is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a good amount of air to unlock the vibrant scents of crushed blackberries, preserved plums and cassis with suggestions of star anise, cedar chest, underbrush, Indian spices and iron ore, plus an emerging waft of violets. The full-bodied palate features the most exquisitely ripe tannins, offering a rock-solid backbone with tons of freshness lifting the taut, muscular fruit, finishing long and mineral laced. Going back to this wine over a period of hours and then days further reveals a Montrose of great opulence, richness and depth. Incidentally, the IPT level this year is 82, which indicates a very high level of tannins, and yet they are so, so ripe. The alcohol is around 14.5%. But sit back, close your eyes and forget the numbers—this is pure hedonism in its youth with a fantastic 40+ years of cellaring ahead of it, during the course of which do not be at all surprised if you are blown away by a three-digit experience. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. Issue date: March 31, 2021. Drinking window: 2024-2064.
V 97

Vinous

The 2018 Montrose is dazzling. Whereas so many 2018s are opulent and broad, Montrose is a wine of vertical explosive power. Ripe Cabernet aromatics soar out of the glass, making a strong first impression. Black cherry, leather, licorice, graphite and menthol develop later as the 2018 starts to open in the glass. The energy, vibrancy and drive here are palpable right out of the gate. Montrose is one of real stars of 2018. Don't miss it! Reviewed by Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: March 2021. Drinking window: 2028 - 2058.

2018 Château Montrose, Saint-Estephe, France

2018 marks an important step in the conversion of our vineyard to sustainable viticulture. The weather conditions resulted in strong pressure from parasites, requiring extreme vigilance. Vineyard management was complex, therefore, but the direction of our environmental approach was firmly maintained. The fine weather and the heat at the end of summer, comparable to 2009, made the vintage, which expressed incredible potential in the cellar.

The year started with a very rainy winter. Spring was wet and warm and bud burst came late. Early flowering came just before some rainstorms in early June, leading to slight problems with poor fruit set. The very strong pressure from mildew did not distract us from our move towards sustainable viticulture and we accepted the prospect of a significant drop in yields.

The hot and dry summer was marked by strong water stress as from the end of July. These weather conditions tended to limit berry growth but strongly increased their concentration.

Harvest took place under perfect conditions. In the cellar, given the small size of the grapes (20% below average) the ratio of skins to juice was definitely in flavor of skins. The first extractions, more carefully controlled than ever, quickly yielded very concentrated juices of exceptional richness. Our meticulous work on the press wine continued : 6 very high quality batches supplemented the 61 batches of free-run and enriched the base for our blends.

The first tastings show the signs of a very great vintage, a subtle combination of the fruity aromatic profile of the 2009 and the precision of the 2016.

Period of Harvest

From September 17th to October 5th

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon : 72%, Merlot : 20%, Cabernet Franc : 6%, Petit Verdot : 2%

Tasting Notes

The colour is dark, a deep and intense ruby colour with incredible density.

The nose is delicate and very complexe. With aeration, the nose reveals aromas of black fruit and white flowers accompanied by subtle smoky notes.

On the palate, the attack is full with exceptional aromatic richness. Powerful and silky, it offers incredible lenght and finesse.

A classy, elegant and very precise wine that perfectly reflects the signature of our terroir.

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