Château Montrose | St Estèphe – 2018

This great second growth vineyard is majestically situated overlooking the Gironde in the Southern section of St Estephe. Recently purchased and re-invigorated by the Bouygues family, Montrose is on top form. Hervé Berland, formerly of Mouton Rothschild, is now in charge and large amounts of money have been spent on stunning new facilities. Outstanding wines were produced here in 2009, 2010 and 2016 as well as a potential wine of the vintage in 2014. The 2018 could be right up there with these. The grapes were 20% smaller than average giving greater concentration. The blend is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. We were told that this vintage has the precision of 2016, the structure of the 2010 and the pleasure of the 2009.