2013 Montrose
By Chateau Montrose
2013 Montrose from Chateau Montrose, St-Estephe, Bordeaux
The year of 2013 in Bordeaux was one met with hushed whispers and sidelong glances—a challenging vintage that demanded a dexterous touch from the vignerons of the region. In such a complex year, it is rare to find a wine that transcends the inherent difficulties of its birth year, yet, the 2013 Montrose from Chateau Montrose espouses just such resilience and finesse.
Resilient Vintage, Remarkable Craftsmanship
In the annals of Bordeaux wine lore, 2013 stands out as a vintage of warriors. A wet and arduously cool spring set a dubious stage, further complicated by an erratic summer. Yet amidst these trials, the stoic terroir of St-Estephe offered sanctuary for Cabernet Sauvignon, allowing Chateau Montrose to perform its alchemy.
While many estates scrambled to salvage their harvest, Chateau Montrose approached the year with precision and an unyielding commitment to quality. It is this unwavering dedication that has birthed a 2013 Montrose that intrigues with its complexity and structural poise. A testament to the adage 'site over season', this wine showcases how exceptional terroir can defy a challenging vintage to produce something remarkably investable.
An Exemplar Amidst Adversity
The 2013 Montrose delivers an aromatic constellation of dark cherries and underbrush, complemented by an anchor of earthy minerality. On the palate, there's a deft interplay of ripe tannins and vibrant acidity, ensuring this wine not only carries the hallmarks of its esteemed lineage but also holds promise for significant aging potential—a key metric for wise wine investors.
It should come as no surprise that such a wine commands attention within the fine wine investment market. As veteran savants know quite well, vintages like these bend and reshape narratives in their tenacity. The 2013 Montrose stands as an artefact of both a challenging year and the triumphs within—its grace and depth offer not only drinking pleasure but also appreciative potential in the years to come.
Conclusion: Honour in Adversity
In summation, the 2013 vintage from Chateau Montrose embodies the victory of human spirit and mastery over nature's less generous mood swings. For connoisseurs and investors alike, here lies an emblematic St-Estephe offering—one that not only highlights the meritorious endeavour behind its creation but also serves as a beacon for discerning collections.
Market price (CAD)
$1,200.00
12x75cl
Highest score
90
POP score
72
Scores and tasting notes
The 2013 Montrose has an understated, lilting bouquet with blackberry and briary scents and dried rose petals, gaining more intensity as it opens over 2-3 minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. It shows good weight in the mouth, quite linear and masculine (typical for Montrose) but there is respectable detail and mineralité coming through on the satisfying finish. Not a top tier Montrose, but then again, why would it be in this difficult vintage. It will still give pleasure over the next 12-15 years.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 October 2016
No Cabernet Franc was included in the final blend of the 2013 Montrose, which is composed of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot. It is a dark ruby-hued, pleasant, charming, fruit-forward, but superficial effort. There is an absence of tannic strength, and the acidity seems adequate and unobtrusive. This is a pleasant, straightforward, fluid Montrose to drink in its first 7-10 years of life.
The 2013 harvest at Montrose was very early because of the pressure from high humidity and the fear of rot.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #214 Aug 2014