2015 Chateau Montrose St. Estephe

One of only 14 Second Growths in the 1855 Grand Cru Classe classification of Bordeaux, Chateau Montrose produces only two wines. The second wine, La Dame de Montrose was created in 1986. The first wine has achieved perfection in recent years as a result of an ongoing improvement from one of France's wealthiest families, the Bouygues, who acquired the historic property in 2006. The iconic Chateau is one of the most visually harmonious and architecturally perfect Chateau anywhere.

The Bouygues brother, who owns Clos Rougeard, the preeminent producer of Cabernet Franc, in Loire Valley, also owns one of the most important companies in France. Bouygues is on the CAC 40 and is an industrial giant in construction, media, telecommunications, and real estate. The estimated $55 million dollar investment over the last decade has brought the Chateau to soaring new heights. It's now often considered at the top of the pyramid among the great second growths and in all of the Medoc.

Since 1815, the iconic chateau has been referred to as the "pink mountain". The winery is now a must-visit for tourists in the area. The polish, decadence, and pleasure of the Montrose wines mirror the investment and perfection of the estate. 

The intensity and clarity of the fruit are so insane. Blackberries, spices such as cloves, blueberries, sandalwood, and dried lavender. Full body and such a beautiful, dense center palate with perfectly polished tannins. Extremely long and beautiful. One of the best young Montrose in a long, long time. Drink in 2024. ~98 Points, James Suckling.

This sumptuous, powerful wine has a great sense of structure and tannins. It is also overwhelmingly dense with black fruits and swathes of rich black currants. In this vintage, even more, Cabernet Sauvignon than usual in the blend has given a ripe wine set for a far-distant future. Drink from 2026. ~96 Points, Wine Enthusiast.

Another wine I was able to taste on multiple occasions, the 2015 Montrose is certainly the wine of Saint-Estèphe in 2015. Notes of cassis, damp earth, violets, and graphite/lead pencil note all flow to a beautifully pure, elegant, and multi-dimensional 2015 that has fine, polished tannin, perfect balance, and a great finish. 2015 is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, all of which were brought up in 65% new oak. This isn’t a blockbuster yet is pure class all the way. It will be better in 4-5 years and keep for 2-3 decades.

In this critic’s opinion, Château Montrose is at the top of the pyramid in terms of quality in Saint-Estèphe. They’ve produced some of the best wines in the vintage from the northern Médoc in 2015, and possibly the wine of the vintage in 2016. ~95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

The 2015 Montrose has a very intense bouquet of blackberry, raspberry coulis, iodine, and violet scents that blossom in the glass, demonstrating more exuberance than (what transpired to be) the 2015 Meyney. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very well judged acidity, taut, and linear with satisfying freshness and poise on the finish. Maybe this just has the edge over the Meyney. Superb. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. ~95 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media.

The deep garnet-purple-colored 2015 Montrose opens with broody black fruits, menthol, and anise notes with a core of cassis, blueberries, and mulberries plus a touch of cedar chest. The medium-bodied mouth is firm and chewy with a good core of muscular fruit and a long, earthy finish. ~95 Points, Wine Advocate.

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