La Dame de Montrose 2020

An aromatic and delicate Second Wine of Saint-Estèphe

The estate

Owned by brothers Martin and Olivier Bouygues since 2006, Château Montrose is an iconic reference of the Saint-Estèphe appellation. This Second Classified Growth of 1855 reigns over one of the most beautiful terroirs of the Médoc. In the past, as today, Château Montrose has stood out for the quality of its wines and a unique signature style that sets this world-renowned estate apart frrom the rest.

The wine

The second wine of Château Montrose, La Dame de Montrose is made from the same vineyard as the Grand Vin. Mainly made up of Merlot, La Dame de Montrose offers another vision of the Saint-Estèphe terroir. Very flexible, with a nose dominated by notes of red fruits, this wine reveals itself to be more accessibility in its youth.

The vineyard

Boasting an exceptional location on one of the greatest terroirs of the Bordeaux region, the Château Montrose vineyard covers 95 hectares of vines. This vast vineyard, all in one piece, is a rarity, considered to be an "elite nucleus" of winemaking. Located not far from the Gironde estuary, the Montrose vineyard is planted on gravel terraces mixed with sand on the surface, upon a subsoil of clay.

The vintage

A beautifully warm winter preceded one of the hottest springs since the beginning of the 20th century. Significant pressure of downy mildew loomed from the beginning of the season until the flowering, due to heavy rainfall between May and June. Despite temperatures below normal for the season, the growing cycle was still 3 weeks ahead of schedule, up until full bloom on May 22. The output of bunches was lower, with 4 bunches per plant instead of the usual 6. Particularly dry, the summer was marked by two scorching episodes in late July and mid-August. The threat of water stress was alleviated both by the ability of the deeply rooted vineyard to regulate its water reserves and by the periods of rain at the end of August. The grapes harvested were fully ripe and in perfect sanitary condition. However, these climatic conditions resulted in decrease in yield, with bunches that were 10% to 20% smaller than the average.

The blend

The La Dame de Montrose 2020 is made from a blend of Merlot (49%), Cabernet Sauvignon (44%), Cabernet Franc (3%), Petit Verdot (4%).

The tasting

The La Dame de Montrose 2020 reveals a tasty balance as well as a very rich aromatic palette.