2012 Montrose
By Chateau Montrose
2012 Montrose from Chateau Montrose, St-Estephe, Bordeaux
Investors savvy to the capricious whims of Bordeaux weather patterns will recall that the year 2012 was replete with drama—a challenging spring followed by a late blossoming summer, culminating in a race against time to harvest under the auspices of an auspicious autumn sun. These conditions have etched their mark in the 2012 Montrose from Chateau Montrose with a vividness that borders on the miraculous.
A Vintage Singularity: The 2012 Narrative
The mischievous clime has bestowed upon the 2012 Montrose a profile that deftly dances between resilience and elegance. Harvested astutely at its pinnacle moment of expression, this vintage yields restrained yet insistent notes of dark cherries and cassis lined with an earthy minerality—a quintessence of the St-Estephe terroir. Amidst these dark fruit accents, graphite and tobacco hints are elegantly tethered by tightly woven tannins that promise considerable longevity; a treasure trove for investors with an eye on well-curated cellars.
Terroir Triumphs in St-Estephe’s Tapestry
The 2012 narrative is one of terroir triumphing over tribulation, embodying the decisive precision and expert stewardship of Chateau Montrose. A distinguished balance of acidity ensures this wine's vibrancy despite the vintage's warmth—indeed, it engenders a firm structure that underscores the ability of St-Estephe to shine even when nature conspires otherwise.
Fine wine investment aficionados appreciate that such vintages capture a certain essence of Bordeaux's climatic narrative in a bottle—the 2012 Montrose is no exception. With admirable concentration and finesse, it epitomises what can be achieved amidst adversity; a vintage poised for incremental marvels as years unfurl.
Concluding Vintage Vestiges
Balancing anticipation with patience will serve investors well with the 2012 Montrose. An investment in this vintage is not merely an investment in wine but also an homage to an exceptional chapter within the grand lore of Bordeaux winemaking. It stands as one of those exemplary achievements where nature's challenges are met with human artistry, yielding dividends for those who discern its subtle but undeniable potential.
Current market price
£840.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
60
Scores and tasting notes
This shows a lovely finish with ultra-fine tannins and pretty fruit. Refined and long. Plenty of ripe and clean fruit. Tangy and fresh. Shows careful viticulture and winemaking.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, April 4th 2013
Tasted at the château, the 2012 Montrose is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 24 September and 20 October. It underwent a particularly long maceration period between 26 and 28 days. It offers more fruit intensity than the 2011 Montrose with blackberry, raspberry and bilberry scents, quite backward and primal yet well defined. The aromatics almost mock you because returning after ten minutes, there are glimpses of underlying dried herb and mineral notes. The palate is medium-bodied, intense and very focused, clearly with more depth and sinew than the 2011, yet displaying impressive precision and energy on the finish, which bodes well for the long-term. Tasted September 2016.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 31 March 2017
The inky/purple-colored 2012 offers up scents of white chocolate, creme de cassis, acacia flowers, crushed rocks and forest floor. The tannins are surprisingly soft as the pH is about 3.7, which is slightly higher than the 2010's 3.6. This dense, full-bodied wine is still somewhat monolithic, but it is loaded with concentration and power as well as a long finish. While not totally formed, all the component parts are present. The 2012 will not match the level of the 2009 and 2010, but it should stand out as one of the highlights of 2012. Only 52% of the production made it into the 2012 Montrose, a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon (harvested between October 13 and 20), 37% Merlot (picked during the third week of September) and a tiny amount of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The pH was 3.7 and I suspect the alcohol level pushes 14%. It is one of the top successes of the vintage. As new administrator Herve Berland indicated, the severe six-week drought caused the Cabernet skins to become very thick, thus resisting the huge rainfall that fell between October 7 and 9. The late harvest dates suggest very ripe Cabernet Sauvignon, which appears to be exactly what has occurred.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #206
Tasted as a barrel sample at the chateau. The Grand Vin, representing 53% of production, is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It is being matured in 60% new oak. The nose offers plenty of fruit, perhaps even more than Cos d’Estournel with ebullient dark cherries, dark chocolate and black plum scents, although at this stage it does not have the complexity of a top Montrose. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe tannins that are obviously fully ripe. It is not a complex Montrose, perhaps just a little one-dimensional compared to others. But there is certainly good volume, soft in the mouth (some prudent pumping over here in the winery) with plenty of primal black fruit to enjoy on the finish. It will probably constitute a more approachable Montrose, but it is well made. Tasted April 2013.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2013