Coveted Terrace IV Classic: Montrose Ranks Among Critics' Best of the Vintage

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Château Montrose delivers a powerful vintage highlight—and, as music to Montrose lovers' ears—with a 30% release price reduction from 2023. You can reserve your bottles today for $116!

The 2024 vintage, a predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon blend (80%), promises some of the longest life and evolution of any from this year. Château Montrose had some special announcements: the release of a new cuvée (not available En Primeur) called Terrasse III. Aside from the excitement of a new wine from the Château, this means that the 95-point Grand Vin flagship wine is now exclusively from the coveted Terrace IV block. What we get is a purer, classic Montrose.

William Kelley of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate hailed it as “a serious, muscular effort that numbers among the wines of the vintage,” a sentiment echoed by our own expert who declared, “This was a [standout] wine of the vintage for me.”

This vintage—and pricing—is not just for the Montrose devotee; it is a can't-miss release from 2024 that will deliver years of exceptional drinking.

Today's Releases

Critical Acclaim

Montrose 2024

95 Points, Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux:

“This is excellent—cocoa bean, cassis, depth, layers, and concentration. One of the [best] wines of the vintage.”

Ranking among the top three of the vintage in our expert’s tasting, Montrose 2024 had several key highlights that contributed to its success:

- At $116 a bottle, the 2024 vintage sees a 30% release price reduction from 2023, and a 42% drop from 2022. Scored at 95 points, this is the perfect opportunity to seize a super-classic Saint-Estèphe.

- The Montrose Grand Vin now comes exclusively from the prized Terrace IV, offering a more refined, purer character with a slightly more floral lift compared to Terrasse III. The only other estates to share this important block are Château Latour and Château Léoville-Las Cases.

- At 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, this vintage has the highest proportion of Cabernet ever in the blend. This promises some of the longest cellar life of the entire 2024 vintage.

- Aged in 60% new oak.

- Though the 2024 vintage saw its struggles, as William Kelley put it, “Montrose was one of the terroirs favored by the 2024 vintage…” This would be considered a great wine in a good year—but it’s a true standout in a more challenging one.

Recent 2024 En Primeur Releases

Our Expert's Take on the 2024 Vintage

Despite the challenges of the year, 2024 is emerging as a collector’s vintage, defined by low yields, excellent balance, and the most compelling pricing in over a decade. With alcohol levels moderating to 12–13%, this vintage marks a return to Bordeaux's hallmark freshness, tannin quality, and aromatics. The result? Wines that are elegantly sculpted rather than exuding raw power. Faced with yields reduced by as much as 50%, the châteaux prioritized quality above all else in this vintage.

Here’s a look at some highlights:

- The top red wines from Margaux, Pauillac, and Pomerol are refined, expressive, and exceptionally rare.

- Sauternes enjoyed ideal conditions for the development of botrytis.

- White Bordeaux wines are showing vibrant energy and distinct salinity.

Regional Standouts:

- Left Bank: Margaux and Pauillac are the clear stars of the vintage.

- Right Bank: Pomerol stands out, with iconic estates like Vieux Château Certan (VCC), Figeac, and Cheval Blanc demonstrating remarkable depth.

Given the limited allocations and sharp pricing, En Primeur 2024 offers a prime opportunity to secure the top wines from this vintage before they disappear.