Chateau Montrose 2008 - a classically structured Pauillac with a dark, dense core, showing aromas of blackcurrants, bilberry, slate, tobacco, and subtle fern and briary notes. Medium-to-full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins, fresh acidity, and a long, mineral-driven finish, this wine is elegant yet powerful, built for long-term ageing. Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 95
Published: Jun 17, 2016

The purity and precision in this wine is very exciting. Medium to full body, firm and chewy tannins and a long finish of currant and spice. Black tea and bark too. Better in 2020 but beautiful now. Decant before serving.

Decanter | D 95
Published: Jan 1, 2018
Drink: 2021-2036

Montrose always takes its time, and this is still very much young and austere but with a commanding presence. It's a classically structured Montrose showing crushed slate, tobacco and bilberry and there's no question that it has plenty of life ahead of it. The tannins are among the most chewy on display so far, the fruit tucked in between the layers of acidity, the overall feel one of subdued power. Give it another few years before opening then settle in for the long haul.

The Wine Advocate | RP 94
Published: Mar 31, 2017
Drink: 2020-2055

Tasted at the château, the 2008 Montrose is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 29 September and 15 October. It has a far superior bouquet compared to the underperforming 2006 with black fruit, minerals, fern and briary. It is very composed, almost understated, yet clearly with great potential. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, a fine line of acidity, powerful for the finish but with impressive mineralité and tension on the persistence finish. It is quite an audacious 2008 and one of the finest wines of the vintage. Tasted September 2016.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 17
Published: Mar 1, 2018
Drink: 2020-2040

Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Lots of vigour. Very stony and dry. With some really polished ripe fruit on top of all that rocky undertow. 

Chateau-montrose.com

Main characteristics of the vintage
Regular rainy spells and smooth temperatures characterize the year of 2008, during which we noticed the occurrence of warm and sunny periods as well, above all for the flowering (mid-June) and the veraison (end of July).
Again this year, Montrose’s unique terroir has played its important role in regards to both the draining soil and the breeze and drying microclimate that hindered the development of mildew and grey rot.
The enjoyable consequence of this association between terroir and human work (green harvest, preventive measures and treatment) is the very good quality of the grapes once picked. Thus we waited for the perfect phenolic maturity with confidence.

Period of harvest
September 29th – October 15th

Blend
Cabernet-Sauvignon: 65 %
Merlot: 30 %
Cabernet franc: 4 %
Petit Verdot: 1 %

Tasting notes
Dense, profound, purple colour.
Full and powerful wine: There exists a good balance between the smoothness of an aromatically fruity wine and the clean tannic texture, giving thus length and silkiness to this long ageing wine.
The finish is of grand precision, with an exceptional softness.