1998 Montrose
Buying options
Tasting notes
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.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
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.
Slinky and elegant, with lots of plum, tobacco and meat aromas. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a pleasant, fruity finish. Best after 2004. 16,375 cases made. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 2001
About the producer
Ch. Montrose is one of two Second Growths from Saint-Estèphe and one of the most consistent producers in Bordeaux. The wines from this property are both elegant and powerful, and some of the Médoc's most age-worthy .