Benchmark Wines by

Montrose

The Winery

Château Montrose

"Wine is made in the vines and not in the winery."
- Jean Bernard Delmas, Winemaker

Château Monrose, formerly part of the Calon estate, is a second growth Bordeaux in the Saint-Estephe appellation. At around 150 acres and production averaging 15,000 cases per annum, Montrose is considerably large for the region. The Chateau is most famous for taking third place among French and Californian wines in the 1976 Judgment of Paris. The 1990 vintage is to Montrose what the song “Come on Eileene” is to Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Not to say a one hit wonder- but rather their biggest hit to those familiar with the estate. You just can’t get it out of your head!

The wines are known for over-performing in lesser vintages, and are stylistically deeply tannic. Its location is ideal, situated close to “The River” (Girode Estuary), which for many reasons is helpful including the way it makes the temperature milder. The stones create pebbles that retain heat from the day and warm the vines at night, which cause well-rounded maturity of the fruit. The wines are racy and boast tobacco, currant, oak and cocoa. Other vintages to look out for include 1900, 1928, 1929, 1945, 1947, 1949, 1959 and 1961.

www.chateau-montrose.com

1995
Out of Stock
750ml
TWF94
TWI94
JMQ93
D93
WCI93
WA92
CT92
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Tasting Notes

WA92
Tasted at the vertical in London, I had never really warmed to the 1995 Montrose despite tasting its many times. However, this bottle seemed closed to Robert Parker's remarks from 2014. It is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that was harvested from 13 to 26 September. The bouquet is less vigorous and more approachable than the 1996 Montrose, initially quite taciturn, but gaining vigor with time and offering blackberry, briary and undergrowth scents, later just a touch of bay leaf and sandalwood. The palate is driven by the higher Merlot content, rendering this a relatively plush and comely Saint Estèphe, well balanced with very good depth, perhaps a Montrose for those with a penchant for headier and opulent styles of wine. Whilst the 1996 has the class and sophistication, the greatest virtue of the 1995 is the most fundamental: enjoyment. Tasted June 2016.

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