98 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and a 1% splash of Petit Verdot, the 2017 Montrose wine was run off into 60% new and 40% one-year old barrels where it was aged for 18 months. The grand vin represented 37% of the estate's total production. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose takes some time to unfurl before revealing an impressively flamboyant core of black cherry preserves, warm cassis and baked plums with hints of red currant jelly, dark chocolate, licorice, cardamom and chargrill plus a gentle waft of candied violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has fantastic intensity with a very elegant, modest weight, featuring super-ripe, finely-grained tannins and tons of freshness to lift and show-off a stunning array of gorgeous black fruit and fragrant sparks, finishing very long and refined. This is an incredibly classy, poised and sophisticated Montrose!" 03/20
James Suckling
96-97 Points, James Suckling: "This is pure and tight with gorgeous cabernet sauvignon character of blackcurrants, blueberries and crushed stones. Full-bodied, yet compacted and polished. It shows a long and beautiful tannin texture at the end. Just rolls off the palate." 4/2018
Wine Enthusiast
95 Points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast: "This wine is powered by its tannins, creating a concentrated texture, dry at the core and solid. It is a serious, complex wine that is likely to develop slowly. Weighty and dense, it is impressive and intensely rich at the end." 4/2018
Decanter
96 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: "This has more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend this year, the highest level since 2006, because the Merlot didn't quite make it through the September rains unscathed. The wine is correspondingly powerful with a robust accompanying acidity that promises a long life. The fruit character is savoury, succulent and extremely persistent, with fleshy blackberry alongside touches of redcurrant and a pulsating freshness that keeps on coming. Harvested 12-29 September with twelve days spent actually picking, compared to sixteen days over the last few years, with more hands on deck. They have never been affected by frost, as far as they can remember, and 2017 was no exception. The wind is always such a benefit here. A normal yield of 45hl/ha, 37% of which was for the grand vin. 60% new oak." 4/2018
Other
93-95+ Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "The Grand Vin 2017 Château Montrose is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It has a sensational Cabernet Sauvignon profile and offers abundant blue fruits, sweet black cherries, leafy herbs, and liquid violet-like aromas and flavors. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated Saint-Estèphe that has remarkable purity, a rock solid mid-palate, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It certainly shows the cooler, pure side to the vintage, yet has plenty of textural richness and depth. It should be drinkable with just short-term cellaring and age beautifully." 4/2018
