Andrew Jefford | Dark black-red, though not opaque. There’s more sense of grandeur and thrust to the aromatic fruits of the Montrose than there is to those of Calon-Ségur; crushed holly leaf and boot polish confirm the military profile. But it’s alluring, too, though: deep, resonant, and (if you look hard enough) even a little sweet-toned, too, with a little blackberry among the blackcurrant. Authoritative, concentrated, and long on the palate, drawing on a deep dark pool of cool blackcurrant and plum, held in place by some soft sweet tannin but rather more aquiline acidity. Still a fairly military Montrose, but pure and long and a success for the vintage in this commune. | 93

Michael Schuster | Dense, ripe-fruited, subtly minerally; fairly rich mid-weight, lively in acidity, finely but firmly tannic, a fairly long-term constitution; deep, brisk, flavory wine, currently a touch sinewy in texture, but long to taste, close-grained, complex and persistent. Needing time, as is its norm. St-Estèphe sinew, but great finesse, too, if a sense of just “touched” by the rains. Still “chewy.” Give it time! 2025–40+. | 92