Chateau Montrose 1998

Another rather muscular, serious vintage is the 1998 Montrose, a classic that opens in the glass with aromas of sweet blackberry fruit mingled with loamy soil, spice box and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, with a rich core of fruit framed by powdery tannins that still assert themselves on the savory finish, it's an uncompromisingly old-school wine that still packs plenty of heft. 91/100 (12.2023)

The 1998 Montrose was the only recent vintage that was omitted from the series of verticals that I conducted in 2016. It is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot picked between 22 September and 6 October. Funnily enough, I had not tasted it since en primeur! It has a high-toned and expressive bouquet with blackberry, leather, a touch of menthol and dried herbs, a little earthiness coming through with time. There is still plenty of freshness here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin. This offers fine balance and a smooth texture, slightly lactic in texture with tobacco and even a touch of latte towards the black fruit-driven finish. There is almost a case for this Montrose being too melted in character. Fine, but I think it could have been better. Tasted at the château. 90/100 (02.2018)