The remarkable 2021 Montrose gets my nomination for the title of "wine of the vintage" in the Médoc. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of cassis and dark berries mingled with subtle hints of mint, orange, pencil shavings and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered and multidimensional core of fruit underpinned by beautifully ripe, refined tannins. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, it entirely transcends the limitations of the year. This young classic, reminiscent of the estate's 1996 but far better, is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. WK Feb 2024

A very classy and refined Montrose with excellent length and a compact, medium-bodied palate, showing fine, silky tannins and a fresh, bright finish. Lots of currant, blackberry and tar at the end, as well as some graphite. 62% cabernet sauvignon, 31% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.
May 2022

This has depth on the palate, inky purple with grilled almond, fennel, cassis, blackberry, bilblerry, waves of fruit set against strong, austere tannins that give excellent structure but not a lot of generosity. This is a serious, signature Montrose that is not an early drinker. Juicy on the finish, one to recommend. 55% new oak. Pierre Grafeuille has come on board as director since March 1, and will be taking over fully from Hervé Berland as of October 1.
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, May 2022

The 2021 is a fine choice for Montrose fans who want to drink the Grand Vin without waiting for decades. I imagine the slightly high amount of Merlot also helps in giving the Grand Vin a measure of suppleness that is rarely found in Montrose. Gentle extractions bring out gorgeous purity in the fruit. Scorched earth, licorice, rose petal and blood orange develop in the glass, followed by a kick of Montrose structure on the finish. The 2021 is not an especially typical Montrose, but it is an undeniably attractive wine. The 13.1% alcohol has not been seen here in years.
Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022

Classic Montrose nose, stylish, terroir-driven, elegant with some good plum and black cherry character. Very well handled tannins, dense and firm but polished, carrying a good weight of fruit. There is a lovely bing cherry character, with some fresh plum, nicely bringing the acidity into play and giving an overall sense of balance and harmony. There is a lot of oak to be absorbed but this 2021 actually feels like it will have the fruit depth and intensity to carry it off. One of the best of the Left Bank.
April 2022

The 2021 Montrose is very clean and precise on the nose. You could almost describe it has clinical, crushed stone infusing the black fruit and briar. It is not as intense as the previous two vintages, which is to be expected, though the Cabernet Sauvignon is expressive. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and fine acidity; a Monrose that is very tensile and focused. Moderate grip and volume, this is a more slimline version of recent vintages, a reflection of the growing season. Maybe it just misses the bravura finish that one has almost come to expect from this estate, yet it has the potential to become an aristocratic, classic Montrose. Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2022

This is a very compact and reserved Montrose with masses of energy and tension, and yet it is not a heavy wine, but one with incredible focus (much smaller bunches were harvested than normal) and aromatic allure. The depth and length of fruit are superb for a more slender and pinched style of vintage, and the overall balance is sensational. This is a wine from a bygone era in terms of weight and lift and the finish is as clean as a whistle with resonance and vibrations that will carry this wine on for years.
May 2022

Dark and minerally through and through. Good fruit concentration. Hint of barrel but integrated. Velvety attack, the tannins dense but finely framed. Long, cool finish. Evident potential for ageing. (JL)
Drink 2030 – 2050
Jancisrobinson.com, May 2022