2009 and 2010 Chateau Montrose, rated 100/100
Chateau Montrose
“Dense ruby/purple, with a bouquet of blueberry, crushed rock, and some floral notes, the wine is medium to full-bodied, rich, powerful, but again very tannic and still strikingly youthful. …This blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is indeed a special wine…”
The Chateau Montrose website gives an aging potential of 2013-2040.
History
Dating to the late 18th Century, the land on which Chateau Montrose now sits originally belonged to “The Prince of Vines,” Alexandre de Ségur, one-time owner of the Lafite, Latour and Mouton estates. However, it was not until after 1778 when the Ségur family sold the land to the DuMoulin family that the land was developed. Known as the “Lande d’Escargeon”, this highly valued terroir in Saint-Estephe, the heart of the Medoc, was once a vast pink heather meadow sitting upon a slightly hilly, gravelly knoll. In fact, the territory was once a celebrated hunting ground on the Calon Segur estate. But in the early 1800’s, Théodore DuMoulin recognized the area’s potential, cleared the land and built what we know today as Chateau Montrose, meaning “Pink Mount.” With dedication and great care, DuMoulin built the reputation of the estate until it was eventually classified as a Second Growth in 1855.
In 1861, Mathieu Dolfus purchased the estate and rebuilt it from top to bottom. Not only did he modify the winemaking facilities and technical potential, but he progressively sought to improve the lives of his workers. Building automated systems, housing and providing social security for his employees through profit sharing, Dolfus established a new standard in Bordeaux.
Chateau Montrose, Saint Estephe
Despite additional changes of ownership and the devastation of the vineyards in World War II, Chateau Montrose continued to innovate and grow in quality. Including, but not limited to, its current owners, brothers Martin and Olivier Bouygues, who have renovated the estate with an eye toward environmental aims. Together the brothers seek to establish Chateau Montrose as a model for sustainable development.
Terroir
Located close to the banks of the Gironde estuary, the single block of 95 hectares of vines (a rarity in the Medoc) is planted with a south-eastern exposure. Gravel soils provide ideal drainage for hydric management. The strong sun exposure and the proximity of the river create a moderating microclimate that protects against frost and regulates summer heat. The south-eastern exposure is in line with the predominant winds, which dry the leaves and provide protection against mildew and rot. Planted with a blend of traditional Bordeaux varietals including Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, it is Cabernet Sauvignon that dominates. Traditionally deeply colored, austere and powerful, the quintessential Saint-Estephe wines of Chateau Montrose are some of the longest lived in the Medoc, with a capacity to age for decades.
