Professional reviews
Robert Parker (99)
98-100
A timeless classic in the making, the 2025 Montrose unfurls in the glass with notes of dark berries, black truffle, burning embers and violets, gaining in range and detail with aeration. Full-bodied, dense and elegantly muscular, it's layered and multidimensional, with a prodigiously concentrated core of fruit, exceptional quality of tannin and a long, resonant finish. The 2025 is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, derived exclusively from the estate's historic core on the fourth terrace situated just in front of the château itself. With a pH of 3.65 and 13.4% alcohol, it remains classically balanced despite its impressive power and intensity. Readers will have a fascinating time parsing the nuances of style and quality between the 2025, 2023 and 2022 over the decades to come!
Jancis Robinson (18)
Already quite expressive. Pure and fragrant with blackcurrant, graphite and cedar notes. Lovely silky texture on attack, a touch of mid-palate sweetness then ripe, punchy, gravely tannins on the finish. Lots of freshness and length. Very St-Estèphe.
Vinous (99)
98-100
The 2025 Montrose only comes from the Terrace IV, as has been the way since the 2023 vintage. It was picked from August 29 and finished not until September 20, so quite a long harvest, 16 days of picking between those dates. This vintage is matured in 60% new oak. This has another very intense nose with a potent graphite element that infuses the black fruit, beautifully defined but unapologetically classical in style. Wow. The purity of fruit is exceptional. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, very chiselled tannins, exquisite black fruit loaded with minéralité. So much freshness and vibrancy, gentle but insistent grip, very precise and refined on the finish, this is a Montrose that will rank as one for the ages. Wow (again).
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
97-100
A magical, utterly profound wine in the making, the 2025 Château Montrose is a classic blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc that will spend 18 months in 60% new French oak, with 12% press wine included in the final blend. Pure cassis, graphite, liquid violets, and spicy wood define the aromatics, and it's sensationally pure on the palate, with full-bodied richness, beautiful concentration, ripe, polished tannins, incredible class, and a great finish. It reminds me of the 2016 with its finesse... and maybe there's a touch of 1996 here as well.
Falstaff (100)
Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Candied violets, scent of roses, fine cassis, incredibly seductive, delicate notes of precious wood, underlaid with black forest berries. Complex, full-bodied, highly elegant, freshly structured, ripe, supporting tannins, blackberries, nougat and cherries on the finish, lingers for a long time, sure maturity potential.
