Château Montrose La Dame de Montrose Saint Estèphe 2020

A Second Classified Growth of 1855, Chateau Montrose is one of the essential properties in the famous Saint-Estephe appellation, which is located on the Left Bank in the Bordeaux region.

With more than two centuries of history, Chateau Montrose takes its name from the colour of the heather that covers the Chateaux moorlands.

Owned by brothers Martin and Olivier Bouygues since 2006, Château Montrose is an iconic reference of the Saint-Estèphe appellation.

In the past, as today, Château Montrose has stood out for the quality of its wines and a signature style that has set this world-renowned estate apart from the rest.

Boasting an exceptional location on one of the greatest terroirs of the Bordeaux region, the Château Montrose vineyard covers 95 hectares of vines. and has the unusual feature of being one single area that consists of a mosaic of terroirs.

It has a unique location on a complex geological formation that is millions of years old with a combination of soils.

They consist of gravel with sand mixed in on the surface, and a clay-rich subsoil that is ideal for preserving the vines' water resources.

This vast vineyard, all in one piece, is a rarity, considered to be an "elite nucleus" of winemaking.

Made to the same rigorous standards as the First Wine, from grapes grown in the same vineyard, La Dame de Montrose is the estate’s second label.

Supple and silky Merlot generally predominates in the varietal mix.

Its very pronounced red fruit aromas and flavours reflect another expression of the terroir in a distinctive style which is less elaborately complex than that of the First Wine.

Consistently reliable and reaching maturity sooner, the wine was created in 1983 in tribute to Yvonne Charmolüe, who ran Château Montrose single-handedly from 1944 to 1960.

Production varies from one year to another but accounts on average for 40% to 45% of the total production of the Montrose vineyard.

Aged for 12 months in 30% new french oak barrels.

The 2020 La Dame de Montrose is fabulous. Rich, dense and expansive, the 2020 offers notable vibrancy and a good bit of energy too. Bright acids cut through a core of red/purplish fruit in what is an intense, wonderfully saline Dame. The 2020 finishes with remarkable elegance and sophistication.

"A ton of dark fruits on offer in the form of cassis, bilberry, blackcurrant, brambles of blackberry and raspberry, a ton of spice and sinew. Bitter almond and chocolate notes come in on the finish and add to the feel of a signature Dame de Montrose."

92/100 Decanter

"Firm, almost fierce tannins, packed with dark chocolate, pencil lead, graphite, blueberry and cassis fruit. Less generous than usual at this early stage, with muscle and a classically reserved character, bitter almond and tar on the close of play, give this a few years to soften."

92/100 Jane Anson

"A very fresh and driven style, with a racy core of damson plum, red cherry and dried lilac laced with hints of black tea and iron, which nicely extend the finish."

92/100 Wine Spectator