Château Montrose
St Estèphe Deuxième cru 1855
Wine production St Estèphe developed much later than further south in the Haut-Médoc - indeed, the vineyards of Château Montrose were not planted until 1815, when it was then part of the Calon-Ségur estate. Only 40 years later, not only had Montrose seperated from its parent, it had surpassed it, being one of only two St Estèphe estates to be awarded 2nd Growth status in the 1855 classification.
Montrose sits nearer the river than Cos d'Estournel on classic Haut-Médoc gravel soil - the last outcrop as you head north. The 65ha of vines are 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The Grand Vin spends 18 months in wood (70% new).
A second wine was introduced in 1983 - La Dame de Montrose - aged in wood for 12 months (20% new).
Montrose is a noted performer in weaker vintages, possibly because of a generous micro-climate which allows slightly earlier picking than most of the Haut-Médoc. The wines, also, have noted longevity.
 |
Left Bank Bordeaux France
The 'Grand Vin' represents 77% of the harvest here. Given the astonishing quality of the second wine, it really shows what a consistently excellent terroir Montrose has. Even darker fruit expression than the Dame, this is seamless and sensational. Really full on the palate, brightness of raspberry with depth of damson, flavoury velvet tannins throughout, huge mineral fruit length, spicy and concentrated, compact despite its volume. Another great Montrose.