Under the ownership of Jean-Louis Charmolüe (who remained in place from 1960 until 2006 and who just died in January of this year). Gorgeous, brick-edged, soft brambled fruit, cassis and bilberry tinged with hedgerow, undergrowth, truffles. 100% 1st wine at this point, as Dame de Montrose arrived in 1986 - and yet the quality of the structure and tannins is still clearly on display. Drinking Window: 2018 - 2040
Tasted by: Jane Anson (at 67 Pall Mall, 05 Jul 2018)
Part of Bordeaux 1983 versus 1982: Top Left Bank wines re-tasted

Intense aromas of kirsch, currant and spice follow through to a full-bodied palate, with round, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. This is complex, changing on the nose and palate. Layered and structured. Will improve for many years to come.--Non-blind Château Montrose vertical. Drink now.

The 1982 Montrose served as my introduction to the vintage many moons ago and strangely, after all that time, this is the best bottle that I have encountered. Dark fruit on the nose with candied orange peel, cigar humidor and just a touch of sous-bois, this feels very focused and conveys more intensity than previous bottles. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of dark red fruit, youthful and structured, maybe a little disjointed towards the finish, which for the first time, does not display any under-ripeness. Very fine. Tasted blind at the "Two" dinner at Domaine de Chevalier.

A wine that has long enjoyed a somewhat mixed reputation, the 1982 Montrose continues to drink very well at age 40; in fact, this tasting note reflects the best bottle I've ever drunk of this vintage. Exhibiting aromas of sweet berry fruit, cedar box and loamy soil, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, with lively acids, melted tannins and a soft, subtly leather-inflected finish. While it isn't as concentrated or characterful as the brilliant 1989 or 1990, for example, it's a generous, open-knit wine that's far from being in danger of imminent decline.

A deep ruby/purple color with garnet in the middle is followed by fragrant aromas of roasted herbs, briny olives, saddle leather, and steak tartare. With a round, sweet entry, medium to full body, a supple, fat mid-palate, and a diffuse but glycerin-dominated, thick, juicy finish, this wine suggests full maturity, but is capable of lasting another 10-15 years.

First bottle corked. Second bottle: Full ruby-red. Dusty aromas of plum syrup and leather, with a distinct whiff of less-than-perfect cooperage. Then fat, sweet and lush, but a bit lacking in delineation. Finishes with a slightly dry edge. An awkward showing, but does not seem to be corked. Drink now through 2010.

Served blind initially. Subtle, dry but gorgeously smooth-textured with fully evolved tannins. Really fresh with great drive and energy – almost like a fully ripe Cabernet Franc. Savoury, leathery, firm yet round. Admirably long. No hurry to drink this.
JR - November 2017