The 2012 Dame de Montrose, an Ex-Chateau Release, is a Bordeaux Blend from the renowned St Estephe sub-region of Bordeaux, France. Produced by La Dame de Montrose, this red wine is characterized by its 13.0% alcohol content and is sealed with a traditional cork closure.
This vintage has garnered significant acclaim from professional reviewers. Decanter magazine describes it as "a textbook example of how a second wine should be – a more accessible, joyful echo of the first wine." They particularly note its finesse, smoky, charred cherries, silky smooth texture, and heady perfume. The wine is a blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon. Decanter awards it a score of 90 and highlights its value and longevity, recommending it be consumed between 2017 and 2028.
James Suckling also rates the wine 90 points, emphasizing its robustness. He describes it as "full-bodied, layered and structured with good, firm tannins and attractive spice, berry, and coffee character." Suckling advises patience, suggesting this "muscular red" will benefit from additional time to soften, recommending it be enjoyed from 2017 onwards.
Wine Enthusiast offers the highest praise, awarding the wine 92 points. Roger Voss details the wine's origins, noting that it constituted 29% of Montrose's total production in 2012. He describes it as "ripe and structured," with initial severe tannins that evolve into ripe blackberry flavors as the wine breathes. Voss underscores the wine's solid structure and dark tannic profile, recommending a drinking window starting in 2018 to allow it to reach its full potential.
In summary, the 2012 Dame de Montrose is a well-regarded second wine that showcases the qualities of its primary label while offering approachability and value. Its composition of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon ensures a balanced yet complex profile, making it a noteworthy choice for Bordeaux enthusiasts.