Château Montrose Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011

Ratings on Delectable

Aaron Tan Delectable Pro

I thought this was the nicer of the two reds served during the night, which comes of as a surprise considering the vintage and varietal (not much of a Bordeaux drinker you see). Contrary to general expectations of the vintage, I didn't find this 11' Montrose too tannic nor too austere. It was powerful and concentrated, yet racy, with fine, mouth-filling tannins. Lots of black fruits, plastered on a backdrop of camphor, herbs, cedar, and minerally pebbles. As big as this may be, I found it more open and balanced compared to the 14' Clos Vougeot (food may have played a role too). Drank well, reciprocating claims that the vilified vintage has finally turned around.

I thought this was the nicer of the two reds served during the night, which comes of as a surprise considering the vintage and varietal (not much of a Bordeaux drinker you see). Contrary to general expectations of the vintage, I didn't find this 11' Montrose too tannic nor too austere. It was powerful and concentrated, yet racy, with fine, mouth-filling tannins. Lots of black fruits, plastered on a backdrop of camphor, herbs, cedar, and minerally pebbles. As big as this may be, I found it more open and balanced compared to the 14' Clos Vougeot (food may have played a role too). Drank well, reciprocating claims that the vilified vintage has finally turned around.

9.1

Felipe Ferreiro Delectable Pro

Sommelier/Wine Director Restaurante Las Rias Bajas

Magnificat Juvé & Camps

Magnificat Juvé & Camps

9.3

Holly Anderson Delectable Pro

Big, ripe, juicy

Big, ripe, juicy

9.2

Robert Cunningham Delectable Pro

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

Big and brooding.

Big and brooding.

9.1

Alexandre Calvi Delectable Pro

The power of blending: grapes but different vintages too in Bordeaux! Juicy, good structure, freshness, chewy tannins, the future of Bordeaux?

The power of blending: grapes but different vintages too in Bordeaux! Juicy, good structure, freshness, chewy tannins, the future of Bordeaux?

8.9

Adam Plotkin Delectable Pro

Approachable, but clearly in need of more bottle age. Another one I am interested to track over time as I feel it will improve greatly.

Approachable, but clearly in need of more bottle age. Another one I am interested to track over time as I feel it will improve greatly.

9.1

Andrew Cullimore

Medium deep ruby , slightly wider more garnet rim . Spicy cassis and grafite , with some wood spice on the nose , quite austere and aloof . On the palate nice grafite tinged cassis , with mineral backbone , slightly austere personality. Refreshing acidity and slightly grippy tannins . Ok length . This is quite an austere wine at the moment with just enough mid palate to cover the bones . This needs a little more time , 2-3 years perhaps and will last well a further 6-10, but I don’t think this has the fruit for long term aging .

Medium deep ruby , slightly wider more garnet rim . Spicy cassis and grafite , with some wood spice on the nose , quite austere and aloof . On the palate nice grafite tinged cassis , with mineral backbone , slightly austere personality. Refreshing acidity and slightly grippy tannins . Ok length . This is quite an austere wine at the moment with just enough mid palate to cover the bones . This needs a little more time , 2-3 years perhaps and will last well a further 6-10, but I don’t think this has the fruit for long term aging .

9.0

Andrew Liguori

Dense black currant and creme de cassis. Faint cigar box, dried soil, and graphite. Powdery tannins with very smooth consistency. Hour decant. Christmas steak with charred leek and anchovy butter.

Dense black currant and creme de cassis. Faint cigar box, dried soil, and graphite. Powdery tannins with very smooth consistency. Hour decant. Christmas steak with charred leek and anchovy butter.

9.3

Neil Valenzuela

Fell short in the middle - but still a Montrose.

Fell short in the middle - but still a Montrose.

8.8

Steve Sánchez

All class, all sophistication. Lots of black fruit, currants, cedar, earth. A touch of oak, well balanced acidity and fruit. Can age well much longer. Beautiful long finish. Very savory. Smoke meats and salt. Dark chocolate and dusts of graphite also noticed. 13%

All class, all sophistication. Lots of black fruit, currants, cedar, earth. A touch of oak, well balanced acidity and fruit. Can age well much longer. Beautiful long finish. Very savory. Smoke meats and salt. Dark chocolate and dusts of graphite also noticed. 13%

9.5

WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.