1991 Montrose
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Tasting notes
Mostly spared by the frosts that devastated this vintage in much of Bordeaux, the 1991 Montrose is a lovely classic, revealing aromas of cassis, plums, confit orange, cigar wrapper and sweet loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and ample, with a pure core of fruit and soft, powdery tannins, it's drinking beautifully today.
Critic scores
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Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Soft, supple and pretty. A harmonious wine with berry, cherry and spice notes and an attractive finish. Wine Spectator, Mar 31, 1994
St.-Estephe enjoyed more success in 1991 than any other Bordeaux appellation, largely because the damaging frost caused little damage to the first generation fruit in the northern Medoc. Consequently Montrose's production was close to normal and the wine is one of the stars of the vintage. That being said, it is not close to the wondrous quality of the 1989 and 1990, but it is superior to this property's 1988. It reveals a dark, saturated color (one of the most opaque wines of the vintage), and a tight but promising nose of sweet, jammy, black-raspberry fruit, minerals, and subtle new oak. With a medium to full-bodied personality boasting considerable tannin, admirable ripeness, and layers of fruit, this excellent wine should reach full maturity in 7-8 years and last for nearly two decades. Wine Advocate.February, 1994
Tasted at the chateau, the 1991 Montrose is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot picked between 30 September and 15 October. It is rightly regarded as one of the rare successes of the beleaguered growing season, alongside Latour. It is clean in color with slight ageing on the rim. The nose is crisp and charming with red berry fruit, balsamic, sage, earthy, almost beetroot like scents that are very appealing. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, fresh and well focused. Whilst the growing season denuded Montrose of its weight and presence, there is harmony here and the foursquare finish will have classic appeal. I wager that this was better a decade ago. Still, after 25 years the 1991 offers a whole lot more than many alumni. Tasted September 2016. Mar 2017, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Ch. Montrose is one of two Second Growths from Saint-Estèphe and one of the most consistent producers in Bordeaux. The wines from this property are both elegant and powerful, and some of the Médoc's most age-worthy .