Montrose St.-Estèphe La Dame de Montrose 2012

91 points Andrew Jefford (The World of Fine Wine): “Stern, dark black-red in color. Much more closed at this stage than, for example, the Pagodes de Cos: brooding. There’s a suspicion of leaf here, but it’s not a blemish; it just freshens those dark, somber black fruits and slabby clay aromas a little. Concentrated and weighty on the tongue, with flavors that hint at ink and iron; stern and ducal. The tannins, by contrast, are not forbidding, and it has all the class of the site in its refined, layered, slowly unfolding flavors. Very impressive, though I’d leave it for a year or two first. This will probably merit a higher score once some aromatic evolution is evident. 2018–28. (Issue #54; Dec 2016)”

90 points Jane Anson (Decanter): “A textbook example of how a second wine should be – a more accessible, joyful echo of the first wine. I loved this at en primeur and still love it now, in contrast to many second wines in this sometimes challenging vintage. Plenty of finesse, with smoky, charred cherries, silky smooth texture and heady perfume. Great value also. From a blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinking Window: 2017-2028. (Apr 2015)”

90 points James Suckling: “A solid second wine from Montrose. Full-bodied, layered and structured with good, firm tannins and attractive spice, berry and coffee character. Give this muscular red time to soften. Better in 2017. (2/22/15)”