Chateau Montrose 2008

95 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

Montrose always takes its time, and this is still very much young and austere but with a commanding presence. It's a classically structured Montrose showing crushed slate, tobacco and bilberry and there's no question that it has plenty of life ahead of it. The tannins are among the most chewy on display so far, the fruit tucked in between the layers of acidity, the overall feel one of subdued power. Give it another few years before opening then settle in for the long haul.

95 POINTS

James Suckling

The purity and precision in this wine is very exciting. Medium to full body, firm and chewy tannins and a long finish of currant and spice. Black tea and bark too. Better in 2020 but beautiful now. Decant before serving.

94 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

Powerful yet still retaining a sense of restrained style, this wine is packed with ripe plum and sweet berry fruit flavors, laced with firm, dusty tannins. Acidity filters through the dense texture to give great freshness.

94 POINTS

James Suckling

I impressed with the purity of fruit and ultra-fine tannins in this wine. It’s full bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Sexy and refined. Ends with spices and berries. Fascinating for the vintage. Chewy. Better after 2014.

93 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

92-94 Barrel sample. Dense, but well balanced, a fine expression of the richness and the tannins of Sain-Estèphe. Those tannins are tight, dry, but add blackberry jam richness.

93 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

Realised I’d tasted this some time ago and never published a review! Fair bit of youthful char and oak showing, along with cherries and some pepper spice, stony mineral stuff and the like. Medium to full bodied, very firm tannin, grips and scrapes along, typical earthy flavours mingle with red and black fruits. Not the deepest, but the line and length is excellent. Primary and primal: needs ten years from vintage at a minimum.

93 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

Fair bit of youthful char and oak showing, along with cherries and some pepper spice, stony mineral stuff and the like. Medium to full bodied, very firm tannin, grips and scrapes along, typical earthy flavours mingle with red and black fruits. Not the deepest, but the line and length is excellent. Primary and primal: needs ten years from vintage at a minimum.

91 POINTS

Wine Spectator

This has a density that sets it apart, with a pleasantly firm edge to the plum, black cherry and currant fruit, all wrapped with notes of iron, tobacco and savory herb. The long, rock-solid finish is still a bit tight, but it should meld nicely in the cellar. A fine effort for the vintage.