(98-100 points) (Saint-Estèphe; 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc; a final yield of 30 hl/ha; pH 3.55; IPT 81; 13.4% ABV; tasted at Montrose with Charlotte Bouygues and Pierre Graffeuille). Sourced entirely from Terrace 4. A wine of such utter grace and charm. Saline in its minerality, as is immediately evident aromatically. We have damson and dark berry fruits – all perfectly ripe and al dente – bramble, certainly, blackberries too, maybe a little black raspberry and also loganberry. With aeration, but not at first, there are black cherries and blueberries too, a little walnut oil and a hint of peony and cedar together. This is wonderfully composed on the attack and entry, so soft and seductive, sensuous and tactile in its exquisitely fine-grained tannins and the cool, dark berry fruits that dominate at this nascent stage. The tannins are like pencil strokes that outline the shape of the wine for the watercolourist to illuminate with shades of purple, blue, red and black. Magisterial and so incredibly gracious. The terroir signature is again remarkable; the clarity of the wine – despite its density – extraordinary. Pulsating after the little grip of tannins that announce the finish, almost like a drum-roll. This is right up there among the most complete and harmonious wines of the vintage. 98-100

Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque core, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Candied violets, scent of roses, fine cassis, incredibly seductive, delicate notes of precious wood, underlaid with black forest berries. Complex, full-bodied, highly elegant, freshly structured, ripe, supporting tannins, blackberries, nougat and cherries on the finish, lingers for a long time, sure maturity potential.

(97-100 points) A magical, utterly profound wine in the making, the 2025 Château Montrose is a classic blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc that will spend 18 months in 60% new French oak, with 12% press wine included in the final blend. Pure cassis, graphite, liquid violets, and spicy wood define the aromatics, and it's sensationally pure on the palate, with full-bodied richness, beautiful concentration, ripe, polished tannins, incredible class, and a great finish. It reminds me of the 2016 with its finesse... and maybe there's a touch of 1996 here as well.

(98-100 points) Cherries, cedar, Cuban cigar wrappers, blackberries, flowers, smoke and black raspberries provide the aromatic nuances. The palate is even better. Concentrated, deep, dark, and energetic, there is a sophisticated, lushness that delivers its regal tendencies while coating your mouth and palate with multiple layers of supple, rich, waves of black fruits, spice, and chocolate. Montrose is on quite the run. Just when you think they cannot produce a better wine, they come out with the 2025! This is the third vintage produced entirely from vines planted in Terrasse 4. The wine blends 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. 13.4% ABV, pH 3.65 pH. Harvesting took place August 29 - September 20. This is the earliest start to harvest in the history in the history of the estate. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2032-2070. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2025&wine=Chateau%20Montrose

(98-100 points) A timeless classic in the making, the 2025 Montrose unfurls in the glass with notes of dark berries, black truffle, burning embers and violets, gaining in range and detail with aeration. Full-bodied, dense and elegantly muscular, it's layered and multidimensional, with a prodigiously concentrated core of fruit, exceptional quality of tannin and a long, resonant finish. The 2025 is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, derived exclusively from the estate's historic core on the fourth terrace situated just in front of the château itself. With a pH of 3.65 and 13.4% alcohol, it remains classically balanced despite its impressive power and intensity. Readers will have a fascinating time parsing the nuances of style and quality between the 2025, 2023 and 2022 over the decades to come!

(98-100 points) The 2025 Montrose only comes from the Terrace IV, as has been the way since the 2023 vintage. It was picked from August 29 and finished not until September 20, so quite a long harvest, 16 days of picking between those dates. This vintage is matured in 60% new oak. This has another very intense nose with a potent graphite element that infuses the black fruit, beautifully defined but unapologetically classical in style. Wow. The purity of fruit is exceptional. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, very chiselled tannins, exquisite black fruit loaded with minéralité. So much freshness and vibrancy, gentle but insistent grip, very precise and refined on the finish, this is a Montrose that will rank as one for the ages. Wow (again). -- Neal Martin

(97-98 points) Integrated and creamy tannins that are long and polished deliver an impressive palate of medium body, juicy fruit and a refined finish. Character of black and red currants with hazelnuts. Refined. Extremely long and polished, with plenty of Montrose character. Balanced. All there for the vintage. A blend of 77% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot and 4% cabernet franc.

Vibrant purple colour in the glass. Amazing fragrance, so pure and crystalline – blackcurrants and violet notes. Silky and glossy, packed full of cherry and strawberry fruit with quite massy tannins but keeping a really cool and compact form. Structured with layers of elements but also a little granular, tight and spiced. Liquorice, cool cola and wet stone edges. Maybe less overtly charming and filling than in previous years, but this has a distinctly cool mineral edge and slightly grippy tannins on the finish. I like the style, it’s quite serious and terroir transparent. Ageing should soften this and relax a little. 3.65pH. 80 IPT. 12% press wine. Ageing 18 months, 60% new oak.

Deep and nuanced plum fruit on the opening, vivid ruby in colour with tension, lift and estate signature. An extremely classic Montrose, love the lift with the depth of cassis, cocoa bean, liquorice, crushed mint leaf, squid ink, crayon, a supremely Left Bank wine, very much in the 2023 vein for me, which was a vintage I adored. This has precision and beauty, the kind of En Primeur sample where you feel fresh and energised at the end of tasting it. 60% new oak for ageing, Pierre Graffeuille director.

(94-97+ points) Peppery and crunchy wine with a fine balance, lots of freshness and a massive backbone of fresh and pure, peppery fruit. It has a very big mid palate, and a long warm aftertaste with gobs of cassis and strawberry-infused fruit. The freshness flows through the entire wine and supports the classic fruit structure and the well integrated tannins. This is a great, well made modern version of Montrose that should be interesting to follow.

(97-99 points) Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Montrose erupts from the glass with intense notes of freshly crushed black currants, fresh blackberries, and mulberries, leading to suggestions of crushed rocks, black olives, violets, and forest floor with a touch of garrigue. The delicately styled, medium-bodied palate has a firm, fine-grained texture with a refreshing line and taut, muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy.