St Estephe

Beef, Lamb, Game (deer, venison), Poultry

At Château Montrose, the largest parcel is two hectares (five acres), the smallest only a few hundred square metres, but each has its own personality, its own particular soil or subsoil, and vines whose age, yield, variety or rootstock are different from those of its neighbour. In the end it is the wine itself which, in its own way, brings this amazing patchwork together, since it is both the result and the synthesis of each micro-terroir. The mix of grape varieties at Montrose, with mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (60% of the vines), is typical of the finest Médoc estates. Cabernet Sauvignon gives its best on warm, gravelly and permeable soil with clay subsoil which helps to store the water the vines need in drought conditions. The Garonne gravel terroirs found at Montrose are its preferred home. Plots of Merlot (32%), Cabernet Franc (6%) and Petit Verdot (2%) are also planted where the soil suits them best, enabling the grapes to reach full maturity and express the complexity typical of the terroir. Each variety is planted on the terroir, in the plot and with the density that will optimise its qualities. At Montrose, Merlot brings a gentle, feminine touch along with silky tannins and aromatic flavours. Cabernet Franc is a very high-quality variety, known for its elegant aromas, which gives fresh and complex wines, while Petit Verdot brings colour, along with pleasant spice and pepper flavours.

Established as a Second Growth in the 1855 classification Chateau Montrose enjoys an exceptional geographical situation in Saint-Estèphe facing the Gironde estuary. Its 95-hectare (235-acre) vineyard thus benefits from the moderating influence of the vast water mass nearby during very hot summers and harsh winters. The vineyard is in a single sweep a rare and priceless advantage in the region. The soil consisting of deep gravel over clay favours natural drainage and ensures that the vines benefit from a slow and regular water supply from the water reserves in the subsoil. An extensive renovation program with very strict environmental objectives has been carried out at the estate since it was acquired by Martin and Olivier Bouygues in 2006 reflecting the new owners’ determination to perpetuate the quality of the wine and make Chateau Montrose a model of skilled winemaking and sustainable development. Under the direction of Hervé Berland since 2012 the estate has 68 employees in the vineyard and winery all of whom share the same philosophy: respect for the terroir and a constant quest for excellence. That philosophy is manifested in meticulous vineyard practices very precise parcel selection and use of only the best grapes to make the premium wine Chateau Montrose. The other qualities are used to make the second wine La Dame de Montrose and the third wine Le Saint-Estèphe de Montrose.