was lucky to serve several vintages of the famous Chateau Montrose from Saint Estephe.
Château Montrose is one of the leading wine properties in St.Estéphe and produces some of the longest-lived wines in the Médoc. Montrose, which had been owned by Jean-Louis Charmolue from 1962 until 2006, when it was sold to Martin and Olivier Bouygues, owners of the eponymously named construction firm Bouygues, is located in the east of the appellation, just north of the hamlet of Marbuzet, on a gravel knoll only 800 meters from the Gironde estuary. The proximity of the estuary ensures a microclimate that protects against frost, and the vines, which lie on deep clay-gravel soils, benefit from a south-easterly aspect.
Montrose’s wine is typically a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc and is matured in oak barriques (30% new) for 18 months.
Montrose wines are traditionally profoundly colored, austere, and powerful when young, yet they possess superb aging potential, and when mature, they are quintessential St. Estephe clarets. Montrose is classified as a 2eme Cru Classe.
Vintage Chateau Montrose, 1982
Bready, mushroomy, forest floor well evolved and almost tertiary. On the palate, as a contrast, it is primary, alive, has good acidity, and is full of life! Light on the mid palate, though, and almost thin at times. Good wine, not great, though, and I expected so much more given the vintage and producer. That being said we would love it on every occasion.
Drink 2020 – 2030
95 Corked Points
Vintage Chateau Montrose 1986
Still pretty dark in colour, tannins are pretty smooth. Some black currants, shy, hint of green, but also some interesting notes verging on complexity; lots of tannin and acidity
Drink now-2021
93 Corked Points
Vintage Chateau Montrose 1998
Dark wine; dark fruits on the nose as well, black currants, some menthol; gorgeous taste, structured, no brett – completely clear fruit, big sweetness. Utterly different from the previous year. Everlasting, just lovely balance, complex finish. A very good bottle, long life ahead.
Drink now – 2020
94 Corked Points
Vintage Chateau Montrose 2005
As big as ever, Montrose has made a real tour de force in 2005, although it is very much an iron fist in a velvet glove. It is a dense wine with enormous tannins, but the latter are cloaked by sweet, concentrated, ripe cassis and plum fruits. It is only on the incredibly long finish (a real feature of the 2005s) that they really reveal themselves, but even then they are very fine. This is not just a brute though, it has great charm and grace. The 65% Cabernet Sauvignon really comes through and helps give the wine that wonderful earthy St Estèphe personality.
Drink 2019 – 2024
93 Corked Points
Vintage Chateau Montrose 2009
The 2009 Montrose is an extraordinary wine. A wonderful bouquet of ripe black fruit, scorched earth, cigar ash and soil tones is followed by a wonderfully layered, symmetrical palate impression of incredible depth and richness. While a large-scaled wine, it always seems to be beautifully balanced. What’s more, its aromatics and flavors are absolutely textbook ripe vintage Montrose.
Drink 2019 – 2030
96 Corked Points
We started with an very delicate and great wine as an apero.
Delamotte Blanc de Blanc 2000
A very fine and quite heavy Champagne. Ripe, full elegant. Fresh acid with baked brioche and toasty notes. Refreshing with lemon and orange flavours. The Blanc de Blanc 2000 vintage is just released, and I think is worth storing it for the next century. Besides Philippe Gonet it is my favorite Champagne at the moment.
Dink 2022 – 2040
96 Corked Points
Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande 2012
Oh, yes, I nearly forgot. This white was served before the tasting started.
