2025 Dame de Montrose (St-Estephe)

Mouthwatering finish, plenty of slate character, pumice stone, rose bud, iris flowers, ripe but not overripe, clearly this is juicy with some bright fruits, but creamy underneath - a world away from the kind of exuberant 2022 vintage, so take your pick on which style you prefer. August 29 began harvesting the reds for the first time (in 2022 it was September 2), then continued until September 20 so almost one month harvest. Terrace 3 and young plants saw reduced canopy height to manage water stress, but on Terrace 4 (the main estate wine) they were able to work as normal. 30hl/ha yield. 15% new oak, 5% amphora. Lower new oak than usual so slightly shorter ageing is expected. 92 points

The 2025 La Dame de Montrose is an elegant, gracious wine. Crushed flowers, red-toned fruit, cinnamon and pomegranate lend tons of aromatic presence. The fruit is so bright, focused and forward. This is an especially elegant, refined Dame. The blend is Merlot-driven. Elevage is 75% in French oak barrels (15% new), 20% in foudre and 5% in amphora. 91-93 points

Unwinding in the glass with notes of dark berries, fruitcake and spices, the 2025 La Dame de Montrose is medium- to full-bodied, deep and dense, with a lively and layered core of fruit, supple tannins and a bright, sapid finish. It`s a blend of 82% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, incorporating maturation in different vessels (20% foudre and 5% amphora) and fewer rackings to maintain a more reductive profile that is better suited to the Merlot-dominant blend. 91-93 points

The 2025 La Dame de Montrose is matured in 15% new oak, lower than before and including some foudres and amphorae, and driven by the 82% Merlot. The nose offers red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit, iodine and violet aromas coming forth with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, slightly chalky, fine tension and a surfeit of freshness towards the finish. This will be wholly irresistible once in bottle and it will require minimal ageing to be enjoyed. 90-92 points