A classic, full-bodied Saint-Estèphe from a challenging vintage. Rich and silky, it shows evolved notes of dark chocolate, tobacco, coffee, and black fruit. The Merlot adds plushness, while Cabernet from top plots brings structure and depth. A traditionally styled, age-worthy wine with fine, integrated tannins.

Decanter | D 92
Published: Producer profile: Château Montrose
Drink: 2019-2035

Not a great vintage (very hot August, rain in the last half of September), but the Merlot was luscious and wines made from the best plots of Cabernet were very rich. Perfectly evolved, the wine is now silky textured, showing smoky notes of coffee, tobacco and cocoa.

The Wine Advocate | RP 91
Published: Dec 21, 2023
Drink: 2018-2033

Another rather muscular, serious vintage is the 1998 Montrose, a classic that opens in the glass with aromas of sweet blackberry fruit mingled with loamy soil, spice box and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, with a rich core of fruit framed by powdery tannins that still assert themselves on the savory finish, it's an uncompromisingly old-school wine that still packs plenty of heft.

Vivino | Vivino 4.3

It has a fine and elegant robe with a beautifully intense and dark garnet. The nose, powerful and harmonious, is pleasantly woody. Aerated, it reveals lightly toasted aromas, followed with hints of ripe fruits and liquorice. The palate is full and soft with tight tannins and a light sweetness. The finish is long and harmonious.

Chateau-montrose.com

Main characteristics of the vintage 1998
The first three months of the year were far milder than usual, which entailed an early bud burst. April was very rainy while May was dry and hot: we went abruptly from winter to summer! In spite of a gloomy June, the blooming was rapid and homogeneous; the midflowering was noted down on June 4th, like in 1995 and 1996.

July was cloudy but dry whereas August was particularly hot (with 39°C). Th e mid-veraison was noted down on August 7th, like in 1990. The time lap between Merlot and Cabernet was very weak. The second fortnight of September was very wet.

The Merlots were runaway success: very fat and full, supercharged in fruit. The Cabernets were less homogeneous but our best plots of land gave us very rich and promising wines.

Tasting notes
Deep purple colour. Complex on the nose, delivering aromas of leather, black fruit, liquorice. Silky and fresh on the palate, with notes of brown tobacco, dark chocolate, grounds of coffee, blackberry, blackcurrant, and slight leather. The tannins are fine, elegant, and melted.

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Natural Cork
Harvest: 1998
Oak: 18 months in French oak, approximately 60% new barrels
Varietals: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Vineyard Area: 95 ha
Soil: Deep Garonne gravel over sandy-clay subsoil
Harvest: Hand-picked, 22 September–6 October
Vinification: Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats with 20–25 days of vatting
Region: Saint-Estèphe AOC, Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France
Classification: 2nd Grand Cru Classé 1855

Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
Decanting: 20–30 minutes, mainly to remove sediment
Food Pairing: Roast beef, lamb, venison, duck, braised meats, truffle, wild mushrooms and mature hard cheeses