Montrose always takes its time, and this is still very much young and austere but with a commanding presence. It's a classically structured Montrose showing crushed slate, tobacco and bilberry and there's no question that it has plenty of life ahead of it. The tannins are among the most chewy on display so far, the fruit tucked in between the layers of acidity, the overall feel one of subdued power. Give it another few years before opening then settle in for the long haul. Drinking Window 2021 - 2036
Tasted by Jane Anson (at BI, London, 01 Jan 2018)
Part of How Bordeaux 2008 wines taste now: 70 top names rated

One of the superstars of the vintage, this classic Montrose is not as showy or opulent as the 2010, 2009 or 2003, but it offers a dense purple color followed by gorgeously sweet black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with loamy, earthy, forest floor notes, a floral component and a long, full-bodied finish. The 2008 was fashioned from yields of 44 hectoliters per hectare which is slightly less than the 2010's 45 hectoliters per hectare. Forget it for 5-8 years and drink it over the following 20+.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #194, May 2011)

The purity and precision in this wine is very exciting. Medium to full body, firm and chewy tannins and a long finish of currant and spice. Black tea and bark too. Better in 2020 but beautiful now. Decant before serving.

Big, powerful, young, tannic, fresh and bright, the nose, with its tobacco, leaf, cedar, menthol, and spice accents along with the bright, red fruits is in full force. Young as should be expected, this is a very good example of a modern, classicly styled, Left Bank Bordeaux. It is always going to be on the crisp vibrant side, but give it time, and it should be good. But you need to be patient, as this will take at least 12-15 more years before it is ready for prime time.

The 2008 Montrose has a lifted perfumed bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, iris and limestone scents, nicely defined and opening with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm backbone, layers of cedar-tinged black fruit, spicebox and white pepper, leading to a persistent, structured finish that probably needs another year or two to soft. Impressive. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' annual 10-Year On tasting.)

– vinous.com, Feb 2018

Bright ruby-red. Fresh black fruits and licorice on the nose. Juicy and penetrating, with excellent focus and purity to the flavors of blueberry, blackberry and minerals. Tightly wound and very firm on the aftertaste, with suave tannins and excellent length. An excellent Montrose with a modern touch.

(65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot; the estate-wide yield here was 44 hl/ha) the very early harvest date of September 29 for the merlot (October 15 for the cabernet sauvignon) suggests that the estate might have pulled the trigger a little too quickly here, especially in what is one of the cooler terroirs of Bordeaux.

Quality 787 | Brand 992 | Economics 927 |
Quality: Predicted life of 14 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group, which averages 9 years Brand: Strong restaurant presence, featuring on 34 of the world's top wine lists, including Tru Economics: Above its peer group average price of £33 for the 2008 vintage Production:

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017

Reasonably light style with more graphite and liquorice than fruit on the palate. Dense and chewy in structure. Very serious and savoury – lots of layers of flavour. (RH)

Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Lots of vigour. Very stony and dry. With some really polished ripe fruit on top of all that rocky undertow. (JR)