
Red wine
Château Montrose 2018
On one level, this is bold and ripe enough for Napa, while on another level, it may turn out to be … a legend. The 2018 low acidity and 14.8% alcohol. It is quite amazing in terms of smoothness of tannin. I get a sense of balance, but not the same energy as in the 2014 or 2016 vintages. Still, impressive, and polished. Again, should we worry about the alcohol level and low acidity? I did get a slight sense of heat on the finish. By comparison, the 2016 at 13.2% alcohol and high acidity comes across as more fresh… Give it time, and re-taste when it’s in bottle, and then we’ll know whether we have a legend or something less long-lived.
Score: 94-98
Wine Details
Colour
Red
Wine Style
Still
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (20%), Cabernet Franc (6%)
Alcohol
14.8%
Bottle size
75cl
Origin
Country
France
Region
Bordeaux
Sub-region
Médoc & Haut Médoc
Area
Saint-Estephe AOP
Tasting Information
Name of Tasting
Bordeaux En Primeur 2018
Type of Tasting
Tasting report
Blind
No
Tasted by
Panos Kakaviatos