Dame de Montrose 2023

Aromas of cassis, plums, orange zest and spices introduce the 2023 La Dame de Montrose, a medium- to full-bodied, rich and layered wine with a vibrant core of fruit framed by supple, powdery tannins. It's a blend of 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, incorporating maturation in different vessels (20% foudre and 5% amphora) and fewer rackings to maintain a more reductive profile, better suited to the Merlot-dominant blend. Drink 2027-2043.

The 2023 La Dame de Montrose has a light and slightly tertiary nose, with touches of tea leaves infusing the black fruit. The palate is soft and supple on the entry, with licorice-tinged black fruit and a rounded, cracked-black-pepper-tinged finish. There’s good body for a Deuxième Vin. This will give a decade of drinking pleasure.

The blackberries and blackcurrants show through beautifully, together with very integrated tannins. Dense and textured. Transparent. Graphite coming through. Second wine of Montrose. 61% merlot, 32% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc.

The 2023 La Dame de Montrose is deep garnet-purple in color. The nose is so floral, with notes of iris and lavender opening out to a core of black raspberries and mulberries plus hints of dusty soil and fallen leaves. The medium-bodied palate is tight-knit and lively, with lightly chewy tannins and a ferrous finish. The blend is 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.50.