Montrose 2011

The wine has a deep colour and is entirely closed on the nose, dark and brooding. It is an excellent and severe wine with dense black fruit—a classic example of Montrose---a nose of rose from the wild forest, inky, firm, and tightly structured. There is certainly plenty of depth here. This magnificent second-growth overlooks the estuary in the southern section of St. Estephe. Recently purchased and reinvigorated, Montrose is now in top form. 2011 has a low yield of 35hl/ha overall, and most of the Merlot was used for the second label. The final blend comprises 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, hence the inherent complexity of the diverse grapes.

The 2011 vintage is even more structured overall (compared to 2012 and 2013). This 2011 vintage is a powerful black wine, restrained with the fragrance of Cabernet fruit, an iron backbone, and the classic depth and firmness of a great Montrose. It is expected to reach its peak in ten years. In our view, 2011 is slightly better than 2013. It will improve over time for another ten years.

The score of the Montrose 2011 vintage is a testament to the exceptional terroir and the skilled winemaking that often rises to the occasion in challenging years. The inviting aromas of rose petals, tar, and liquorice lead you into a bold, powerful, yet beautifully balanced experience. This wine triumphs over adversity with layers of graphite, dark plums, toasty oak, and sweet blackcurrant fruit. It is one of the vintage's best wines, a testament to the winemakers' skill and the vineyard's potential. This wine will continue to impress for over 20 years and is a true masterpiece of winemaking. , according to Tim Atkins, who gave a 97-point.

Derek Smedley gives 94 points and opines that this wine begins with a deep, brooding nose brimming with decadent black fruits. The wine holds a substantial fruit weight on the palate, with abundant black cherry and sloe, complemented by slightly sweeter damson. The layers of fruit not only add complexity to the tannins but also create a sense of balance. This wine engages all the senses: a testament to the vineyard's quality and the winemakers' skill.