La Dame de Montrose 2014

In the style of Grands Vin, with breeding and austerity, more long than broad, with a certain rusticity and a slight herbal note on the finish.

Offers a brisk, racy feel, with red currant, damson plum and Campari notes coursing through, carried by a bright iron spine through the savory-flecked finish. Very pure and firmly grounded in terroir. Best from 2018 through 2026. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

One of the second wines of the vintage for me at en primeur, this has held up well. It’s still fairly closed — in fact, even more so than when originally tasted — and it’s not yet showing its full potential, although you can see and feel the construction in the slow build through the palate. Bilberry and cassis are joined by notes of charcoal and black spice, with good persistence on the finish. Since it takes its time to open, leave it for a few more years.

What a nose for a second wine! Lovely cassis and delicately leafy/earthy aromas. It’s a rare beast: a really mineral red Bordeaux. This has excellent balance of ripeness and fresh, dry tannins and acidity. Long, clean finish.

Medium to full-bodied, with spicy red and black fruits, this wine will drink well with just a year or two of age.

As for the 2014s, these are beautiful wines and certainly a match for the 2015s. The 2014 La Dame de Montrose offers a deep purple color and classic Cabernet Sauvignon notes as well as a touch of violets, spring flowers, and leafy herbs. This medium-bodied, elegant, spicy, complex 2014 has loads of charm yet should keep nicely for 15+ years.

Dark garnet, fairly dense in the middle, ruby rim. Spicy bouquet, showing a fine terroir-driven approach, white pepper and dried culinary herbs, red plum skins and nuances of tobacco. On the palate, muscular, with prominent, firm-grained tannins, an ascetic impression; one would wish—at least in this en primeur tasting—for a bit more flesh on the bones. It should gain a little with some barrique fat. But this wine will never become truly sexy.

(50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot) Spicy, peppery bouquet, cassis, blueberries, mocha. Medium-bodied, velvety palate with sweet fruit, fine sandy tannins, sweet aromatics, classic structure, long, sweet finish. Can improve further. 16/20 2022 - 2038

Intense, smoky, plenty of black fruit—who doesn’t love this second wine of Château Montrose? It’s a vintage that is often overlooked, particularly after the run of great years Bordeaux has had recently, but it’s at a great moment to open right now, delivering plenty of Saint-Estèphe and Left Bank typicity, with pencil shavings and graphite. Harvest from September 22 to October 16.

There is a lot of charm and roundness in La Dame de Montrose 2014. A racy, well-integrated cuvée, above all marked by freshness.

A supple version of La Dame that in 2014 shows charm, smoothness, and an appealing, easy-drinking character. 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot. 37% of the production.

Garnet red with purplish highlights. An open, intense and complex bouquet with fruity and spicy character. Raspberries, black cherries and plenty of freshness with mint and licorice. The palate is elegant and refreshing. The body has good density and is perfectly balanced. Its juicy side makes it already approachable, yet the potential given by its refined structure should not be overlooked. The finish still needs to soften. A promising wine.

Logo on the cork: A in a circle (Amorim) Dark, intense color with slight evolution. Very aromatic nose, with fresh fruit and a touch of spice. Caressing on the attack, particularly flavorful mid-palate; the wine develops a sappy texture and is a bit tight on the finish, yet very deep, with lots of flavor and great length. This is positive austerity.

The 2014 La Dame de Montrose is medium to deep garnet in color. Notes of leather sofa, cigar box, and dusty soil lead to a core of black cherry preserves and Christmas cake plus a hint of lavender oil. The medium-bodied palate is lively and ready to drink, offering lightly chewy tannins and a savory finish. Tasted blind with the Southwold Group in London in February 2024.