The 2014 Dame de Montrose had the advantage of the precise work from the new team and new equipment of Chateau Montrose. This Second wine of Chateau Montrose offers a pure and frank aromatic expression of red cherry, smashed raspberry, the whole enhanced by pepper hints. This Saint-Estèphe palate, less dense than the Grand wine (2014 Chateau Montrose) seduces by its smooth tannic structure with a fine grain. This is an accessible wine that highlights the careful work done in selecting the grapes.
The 2014 La Dame de Montrose lagged a long way behind the superlative Grand Vin at primeur, but has since made up some ground. Now in bottle, it has a nicely poised bouquet with red cherries, bilberry and crushed violets. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, tightly wound and linear, a conservative La Dame de Montrose that I suspect will age better than I originally thought.