Tasted by Jane Anson(at Primeur week tastings in Bordeaux, 01 May 2021)
Part of Best St-Estephe 2020 wines tasted en primeur

A ton of dark fruits on offer in the form of cassis, bilberry, blackcurrant, brambles of blackberry and raspberry, a ton of spice and sinew. Bitter almond and chocolate notes come in on the finish and add to the feel of a signature Dame de Montrose. Not the exoticism of 2018, this is more of a return to classicism, closer to the 2019 or 2016. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend. A yield of around 29hl/ha.

Drinking Window 2025 - 2040

(49% M, 44% CS, 4% PV, 3% CF; 40% harvest; 13.6% ABV; 30% new)
Dense and Merlot blueberry to smell; quite rich, quite full, fresh in acidity, fine in tannin; very ripe blackcurrant-cored, juicy, fleshy, of moderate complexity, and with good, light length. A very nice, complete, Dame. Very much the same quality level as the Tronquoy, in a slightly different style. 2025–33+.

49% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Lithe and fruit-driven with dark-fruit, mint and herbal notes. Tannins finely etched. Nothing forced. Natural feel and flavour. Clean, dry finish. (JL)