2022 La Dame de Montrose - Zweitwein Chateau Montrose - St. Estephe AC

Decanter.com – 92 pts – GH: *High toned and chewy at the same time, the bright, super fresh and delineated fruit has bite to it, crystalline edges but the tannins have a sense of fleshy texture giving bounce. The tannins subside pretty quickly leaving a clean, clear and fresh expression with plum, black cherry and flinty, herbal and spiced touches. Has a sense of fun, I like the Merlot aspects with appealing weight and terroir nuances. Elegant and pure with no harshness, a big wine with a soft touch. 1% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Harvest 2-22 September. 3.8pH. 78 IPT. A yield of 31hl/ha.* - 04/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 95 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart floral unterlegte schwarze Waldbeerfrucht, reife Zwetschken, ein Hauch von Edelholz, Nelken und kandierte Orangenzesten. Stoffig, elegant, reife Kirschen, feine, integrierte Tannine, mineralisch-salzig im Abgang, sehr harmonisch und gut anhaftend, toller Speisenbegleiter, gutes Reifepotenzial.* - 01/2023

WeinWisser – 18/20pts – GL, TW: *71 % Merlot, 23 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 % Petit Verdot, 1 % Cabernet Franc, 30 hl/ha. Delikates rotbeeriges Bouquet, schwarzer Pfeffer, schwarze Johannisbeere, Graphit, Olivenpaste und Brasiltabak. Am kompakten Gaumen mit fleischigem Extrakt, stützender Rasse und muskulösem Körper. Im gebündelten, straff ausgerichteten Finale Wildkirsche, Wacholder, dunkles Graphit und feinmehlige Adstringenz. Gehört für mich zu den besten Zweitweinen dieses Jahr und damit auf jede Einkaufsliste.* – 04/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 16,5/20pts – JL: *71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Lots of Merlot this year. Broad and spicy with red-fruit notes. Suave, round and opulent but manages some freshness as well. Surprising length with a bit of alcohol on the finish.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (92-94) pts – AG: *The 2022 La Dame de Montrose is deep, pliant and rich. All of the intensity of this warm, very dry vintage comes through in the wine’s sheer size and ripe, dark profile. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and espresso are all amplified in this decidedly intense, concentrated La Dame. Qualitatively, there is little question this could have easily been a Grand Vin in a preceding generation. The 2022 is a stunning La Dame.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (91-93) pts – NM: *The 2022 La Dame de Montrose represents 43% of production this year and comes from Terrace 3 glacial deposits (the /Grand Vin/ is on Terrace 4 that has more clay). It has a clean and pure bouquet with wild strawberry, boysenberry and light marmalade notes percolating through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a succulent entry, fine depth, slightly powdery texture. There is much more grip on the finish compared to the 2021 last year. Excellent.* - 04/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (93-95) pts – JL: *Dark black fruits, flowers, cocoa, and wet earth open the nose. On the palate is where you find this is at its best, with its layers of supple, creamy, fresh, elegant, dark red fruits, and chocolate. There is softness paired with richness, and a depth of flavor that lingers, with an energetic touch of orange rind in the endnote. You can enjoy this on release for all its up-front fruit, or age it for more complexity. The wine blends 71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2025-2042.* - 05/2023