Château Montrose 2011

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Tasted at the château, the 2011 Montrose is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot picked between 2-27 September. The nose does not possess the exuberance of the 2008, a little conservative and lacking personality by comparison. It does repay aeration though and after some time, there are attractive cold stone/limestone notes that begin to emerge. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, grippy tannin. It is a solid Montrose, quite stout, perhaps not the greatest fun you will ever have with a Claret, yet with admirable depth on the lightly spiced, cedar-infused finish. Whilst I prefer the 2008 Montrose, the 2011 is a decent off-vintage that should offer 20 years of drinking pleasure. Tasted September 2016.

James Suckling

This is a tannic, chewy Montrose with lots of spice, berry and earth character. Full body, chewy and fruity. Intense tannins.

Tim Atkin

VertdeVin

Very dense and inky colour, impenetrable core. Dark ruby towards the rim. Still quite youthful on the nose. Mostly fruity expression of ripe dark fruits, black currants, plum, quite high ripeness of fruit there. Some sweet fruit character, almost with a hint of confiture. Quite elegant oak, gently roasted with some cedar wood, tobacco. Very powerful on the palate, really dense and vigorous with plenty of extract. That is still on the youthful side, but I would say ripe tannin. Rounded extract, just quite a lot of it. Same thing goes for the fruit. Intense fruitiness, with dark plum, cassis flavours, layered with a slightly aromatic spiciness in the direction of sage and mint. Oak feels integrated. Some gentle roasted flavours on the palate as well. Really mouth-filling and broad. Long and lingering finish. Still very dense and very youthful and tight. Doubtlessly a wine that should have very big potential for further development.

Gilbert & Gaillard

Intense hue. Concentrated, fruit-driven nose (cherry flesh, raspberry) with delicate, creamy oak. On the palate, power, structure, wonderful ripeness and focused ripe fruit expression. Good length driven by evident tannins. Exuberance. Wonderful potential.

Wine Enthusiast

As so often with Montrose, this is a powerful, concentrated and very structured wine. Dense tannins are paired with rich black fruits, although at this stage the wine also has a sense of austerity. Power, severity and complexity all make for a wine for long aging.