La Dame de Montrose 2022

Dark in color and dark-fruited on the nose; cherries, cassis, smoke, black tea, licorice; compact on the palate, crisp, fresh, with silky tannins, a very spicy, saline finish. A seductive lady.

An enticing red, with loganberry and black cherry fruit that shows a slightly mulled/smoldering edge, while black tea, warm earth and singed bay leaf notes skirt underneath. Approachable now. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2034.

Aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, pencil shavings and tobacco. Medium- to full-bodied, this is creamy and crunchy with open, velvety tannins and a juicy finish. 71% merlot, 23% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc.

The 2022 La Dame de Montrose is fabulous. It marries the power of the vintage with notable tension and freshness to keep everything in balance. Dark cherry, mocha, crushed rocks, graphite and leather soar out of the glass. A truly magnificent wine, La Dame is a mini-Montrose in every way. Readers looking for a wine that punches well above its weight and price will find it all here. Don’t miss it!

Dark black fruits, flowers, cocoa, and wet earth open the nose. On the palate is where this is at its best, with 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 on the finish. 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. 93–95 pts.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle ochre rim. Nuances of cassis, blackberries, some nougat and leather, a savoury note. Full-bodied, red cherries, lively structure, fine tannins, mineral, chocolatey nuances on the finish, already accessible, a juicy table wine with very good ageing potential.

The 2022 La Dame De Montrose is based on 71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It's a beautifully textured, medium-bodied Saint-Estèphe with red and black fruits, some spicy, flowery nuances, nicely integrated oak, and a great finish. This charming, textured, elegant, supple second wine will keep for two decades.

71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 30 hl/ha. Delicate red-berry bouquet, black pepper, blackcurrant, graphite, olive paste and Brazilian tobacco. On the compact palate, fleshy extract, supportive acidity and a muscular frame. Focused, taut finish with wild cherry, juniper, dark graphite and a finely powdery astringency. One of the best second wines of the year in my view, and a must for every shopping list.

First year of Pierre Graffeuille as director, and first year focusing on the historic parcels of terrace 4; this is enveloping, seductive, with gourmet edges, touches of burnt caramel, spiced and concentrated, as is often the case in this vintage. 45% of production in this.

Ripe fruit on the nose, generous and majestic, accompanied by subtle mocha nuances that add a touch of refinement. Concentrated and chiselled on the palate, this wine exudes a magnetic allure, with caressing notes of flowers (roses, peonies, tulips) and a finely grained, saline texture that makes you want to lick the roof of your mouth.

Some wines flow naturally and I can describe them in a single stroke. La Dame de Montrose, however, makes me work! (since I enjoy that, it’s no problem, but you do need to have time on your hands). The reduction is striking, dominant, and the wine needs air to reveal what lies beneath. It unveils notes of black berries, mint, licorice and peony. No need to prove its complexity. On the palate, the wine unfolds step by step, much like the bouquet. It shows freshness, depth and plenty of finesse. Its well-integrated tannins are precise, a little strict, yet effective and reliable. This is undeniably a high-flying La Dame de Montrose with excellent ageing potential. If you wish to enjoy it young, a decant of about 45 minutes is in order. Saline, mouthwatering and persistent finish. A great wine that continues on its independent path; it has become a personality!

Black color. Fruity nose, ripe, fresh and creamy. This is the most indulgent, richest palate with black-fruit aromas ever seen here. It’s delicious. Blend: 70% merlot (above average, plus. A first), 10% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot. Alcohol: 14.5% - pH: 3.8. Yield: 31 hl/ha. Another distinctive feature, this wine contains 26% press wine.

A full, rich second wine, dominated by Merlot, gives a ripe fruit cake character to the full-bodied wine. With acidity and a dark chocolate aroma, the wine shows density and power. Drink from 2028.