Doug Powers

9.2

[80% Tannat, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon] definitely some Brett in this one, but not over the top for me, fruit is still fresh, structure suggests this is mature, very good balance and length, long finish. For those highly intolerant of Brett, you probably won’t like this as much as I did. — a month ago

with Jim

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2015 | cuvée October | well balanced Petit Manseng with 80 to 100 gr residuel sugar — 3 years ago

Daniel M

9.0

No notes, to go along arguably the best cassoulet in the region. Black fruits on the nose, a bit of leather too. Great acid drive and great width, nice tannins all along and fine tannins that kick in the rear before a nice and delicate finish. Great stuff and pairing made in heaven. — 3 years ago

Willem Booij

9.5

There are bottles I expect to be great, and then there are bottles that still manage to stop me in your tracks.

Château Montus Cuvée Prestige 1998 is firmly in that second category.

This wine has rested quietly in my cellar for nearly three decades, patiently waiting, gathering depth rather than dust. Opening it tonight feels less like uncorking a bottle and more like releasing a memory that has been maturing alongside time itself.

I use to secretly hide this wine among a line up of great clarets and it always stood out!

From the first pour, it’s clear: this wine is fully evolved, yet beautifully alive. The once powerful Tannat backbone has softened into something remarkably refined. The texture is silky, rich, almost velvety, no rough edges left, only harmony.

Dark fruit has given way to layers of leather, cedar, dried plum, cocoa and subtle spice. Everything is integrated, calm, confident. A wine that no longer needs to prove anything.

What amazes me most is not just how good it is, but how complete it feels. This is maturity without fatigue. Depth without heaviness. Power transformed into elegance, love it!

I’ve always known that wines from Château Montus, under the vision of the great Alain Brumont, were built for the long haul. Crafted from old-vine Tannat, grown on the steep, clay-limestone slopes of Madiran, Cuvée Prestige is fermented and aged with patience and intent, often spending extended time in new French oak. It was never meant to be rushed i learned decades ago.

Still, every time I open a mature Montus, I surprise myself all over again.

1998 has reached a point where everything makes sense. It is fully on its drinking window, perhaps right at its sweet spot, and it delivers pure pleasure, calmly and generously.

A reminder that great wine is not about price, prestige, power or extraction, but about time, trust, and restraint.

This bottle didn’t just age well.
It became something greater. 95 WBP — 19 days ago

Adam Beasley

9.1

Birthday /Memorial Day party. Something off the beaten path, and my first Petite Courbu. Round, rich, and delicious with ripe pears and melon. — 4 years ago

Chitralekha Basu

9.0

Premier Rendez-Vous Sauvignon Blanc — 6 years ago

David Koenen

9.2

Best one from the bunch I bought some 20 years ago. Dark, mysterious red. Full bodied, powerful. Spice box. Coffee grind, dark chocolate and cherries. Dusty, cacao like tannins. Bold and brazen. — 3 months ago

Ericsson

8.9

This is just like the picture describes, a simple wine meant to be had in streetside bistros with hearty dishes in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains. It is a narrative of place and practice. It brings together the timeless qualities of Tannat while showcasing a refined approach to blending and maturation which truly refines one of the strongest varietals in the world. — a year ago

Ming L

9.0

My prior experience with Tannat was limited to a bottle of Bodega Garzon, and I was not really a fan. This bottle gives me new perspective about the variety.

A blend of Tannat/CS/CF (60/20/20), it opens with ripe black fruits tinged with peppery spices, dark cocoa, cherry cola, and just hint of barnyard. Velvety palate with surprisingly polished tannins.

My first Madiran. Chateau Bouscassé is the home estate of Alain Brumont who also owns the more famous Chateau Montus. — 3 years ago

Louis Martin

8.9

Strong tannins, hint of licorice. Pairs nicely with fatty cheese (especially a sharp cheddar). — 6 years ago