1978 Château Montrose
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Tasting notes
Tasted at the Montrose vertical in London, the 1978 Montrose is a vintage that I had not tasted for a number of years. I was in for a pleasant surprise. It was a late picking, passim in Bordeaux, here picked between 3 and 17 October. Clear and graphite on the nose that tips you towards Pauillac in style, not intense but bridled with fine tension. There is a pleasing brightness on the palate, something uncommon with 1978s that can be a bit staid, fresh acidity with tertiary bay leaf notes, leading to a short and structured finish. Well-preserved bottles such as this will continue to give pleasure. Tasted June 2016.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Light-styled for a Montrose, the 1978 has reached full maturity. It offers a straightforward, spicy, earthy bouquet of curranty fruit and damp, woodsy aromas. Medium-bodied, compact, and adequately concentrated, this spicy, earthy style of wine should be drunk over the next 5-8 years. Last tasted, 2/93. Wine Advocate.August, 1993
Tasted at the Montrose vertical in London, the 1978 Montrose is a vintage that I had not tasted for a number of years. I was in for a pleasant surprise. It was a late picking, passim in Bordeaux, here picked between 3 and 17 October. Clear and graphite on the nose that tips you towards Pauillac in style, not intense but bridled with fine tension. There is a pleasing brightness on the palate, something uncommon with 1978s that can be a bit staid, fresh acidity with tertiary bay leaf notes, leading to a short and structured finish. Well-preserved bottles such as this will continue to give pleasure. Tasted June 2016. Mar 2017, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Ch. Montrose is one of two Second Growths from Saint-Estèphe and one of the most consistent producers in Bordeaux. The wines from this property are both elegant and powerful, and some of the Médoc's most age-worthy .