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

Tasted at the vertical in London, the question was whether the 2000 Montrose would be paradigmatic of a vintage whereby the wines have remained sullen and broody in their youth. On this occasion, to my surprise I found it more open than the 2005 (which admittedly is not saying that it's open for business!). It is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot picked from 22 September to 7 October. I afforded it a couple of hours in the glass and it responded with plenty of pure ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit, hints of cold slate and even charcoal emerging with time. The palate is not as complex as the aforementioned 2005, yet there is wonderful backbone and focus; towards the finish there is a sense of suppleness and refinement that might make this absolutely delicious in 5-7 years' time. Perhaps the 2000 has been usurped by subsequent releases in 2005, 2009 and 2010, but do not be surprised if it evolves into a regal Montrose. Tasted June 2016. Rating: 94(+) Points.

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