chateau montrose 2022

château montrose is a renowned winery located in the saint-estèphe appellation of bordeaux, france. it is classified as a deuxième cru ("second growth") in the bordeaux wine official classification of 1855. with a history dating back to the early 18th century, château montrose is known for producing exceptional red wines. the vineyards of château montrose span around 95 hectares (235 acres) and are primarily planted with cabernet sauvignon, which accounts for about 60% of the vineyard area. merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot are also cultivated on the estate. the vineyards benefit from a diverse range of soil types, including gravel, clay, and limestone, which contribute to the complexity and character of the wines. the winemaking at château montrose involves a combination of traditional and modern techniques. the grapes are carefully sorted and undergo a meticulous vinification process to ensure the optimal expression of the terroir. the wines are aged in french oak barrels, with a significant proportion of new oak, for approximately 18 to 20 months. château montrose produces rich, powerful, and age-worthy red wines that are known for their depth, concentration, and structure. the wines typically exhibit dark fruit flavors, such as blackberry and cassis, along with nuances of spices, tobacco, and cedar. they have a firm tannic structure that allows for long-term aging, and the best vintages of montrose can evolve and improve for several decades. over the years, château montrose has received critical acclaim and has been highly regarded by wine critics and collectors. the estate has consistently produced exceptional wines that are known for their consistency and ability to age gracefully. the 2022 montrose is such a compelling wine that assigning it a bracketed score seems a mere formality. a brilliant terroir, impeccable viticulture, perfectly timed harvest dates and judicious extraction have aligned to deliver a monument in the making, reminiscent of a far purer, more precise, modern-day version of the 1990 vintage at this address. unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, violets, iris, pencil lead and cigar wrapper, it's full-bodied, deep and authoritative, its velvety attack segueing into a layered, elegantly muscular core that's framed by supple, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, resonant finish. a blend of 66% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot, this only confirms montrose's status as a de facto first growth and unquestionably one of the contemporary médoc's very greatest estates.