With a wealth of a two-century-old history whose key words have been quest for excellence and legendary Saint-Estephe vintages, Château Montrose, 2nd Grand Cru Classé, entered the 21st century under the sign of revival. Acquired in 2006 by Martin and Olivier Bouygues, grand builders and Montrose wine enthusiasts, the estate underwent—for its own sake—seven years of tremendous works.
The result of these investments is spectacular and Montrose now is certified of High Environmental Quality. The buildings are labelled Low Energy Consumption. The temperature of these buildings and the vats is regulated by geothermal energy. 3,000 sqm of photovoltaic panels have been fitted on the roofs and cover the needs in electricity of the estate. The Château has been equipped with its own natural treatment plant. In an eco-friedly concern, the domain is not treated with weedkillers. Five hectares of bee-forage plants are planted every year to preserve the bees and two hectares of youg reed enable to replace the plastic bands by wicker to hang the vine on the wires.
Settled on top of a hill, the château offers an exceptional panorama over a sea of vines and the beginning of the Gironde estuary. At the heart of the renovation and enlargement programme: the highlighting and preservation of the architectural ensemble in a 18th-century style. The masterpiece of his huge work: the 1,000 sqm Grand Cellar, inaugurated with the 2013 vintage. Under an 11-meter high ceiling (wood in trompe-l'oeil painted by an artist) the barrels lay in a thermoregulated atmosphere.
Nevertheless the quality of the wines starts with the domain's natural assets. Montrose is among the rare Médoc estates to be as close to the river. The estuary provides air circulation that enables to regulate the temperature and hygrometry of the vine. The slight slope enables the good draining of the vineyard, possible thanks to the soil of gravels and sand. This ideal terroir relies on a layer of clay, a water supply for the vines.
The 95 hectares out of which 89 are planted are in one single ensemble, an exceptional situation that makes work easier and enables a more efficient observation of the vineyard, to the nearest plot. The planted varities are mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), typical of the greatest Médocs, complemented with Merlot (32%), Cabernet Franc (6%) and Petit Verdot (2%) with a high density (9,000 stocks per hectare) for a mastered yield of 45 hl/ha.
This precision work is possible thanks to the highly skilled and experienced team who surround Hervé Berland, general manager of the estate, since his arrival. “I wanted the cellar and the vineyard to work together.” Combining experience in the field and academic kowledge, Montrose's professionals, devoted to the terroir, all give their touch to the Montrose style. Beside this executive team, the domain can rely on a loyal staff in the vineyard. For more than 30 years, the same Spanish village come for each harvest. “They perfectly know each plot of land. It is really easy to work finely with them as they have unequalled savoir-faire, efficiency and mobility” Hervé Berland confides. Professionals harvesters that complement the permanent technical staff.
Harvest are handmade in crates and the grapes are already sorted when picked. “We sometimes come 6 times again on the same plot to harvest the grapes at the right maturity. We have small vats to separate the batches”, Hervé Berland explains. The blending tastings take place from November and aim at researching each year the best balance between the powerfulness and the tannins, the finesse and expression of the fruit, characteristic of Montrose.
In April Hervé Berland welcomed Paolo Basso for a visit of the new installations and an overview of Montrose's vintages, but also the 2014 of Tronquoy-Lalande (AOC Saint-Estèphe, purchased by the Bouygues brothers and also underwent big works for its relaunch): La Dame de Montrose 2014, Château Montrose 2014-2010-2009-2005-2003 and 1990. A tasting that confirmed that the Bouygues brothers managed to preserve the nobility, class, intemporal excellence of Montrose.
Sylvia van der Velden
Beautiful nose with a fine woodiness, delicate with notes of vanilla, mild spices, and a pleasing touch of a balsamic character. The fruity note is ripe with scents of blackcurrant and raspberry. Very expressive and compacte on a tightly-knit background and very elegant at the same time, well-structured and tasty body, classy firm and ripe tannins, long-lasting finial taste with character. A successful Montrose that can become a reference among the greatest Médocs. A good balance between powerfulness and elegance, reached harmoniously. Ageing: 2020-2040.
Beautiful complexity in the nose that unveils the highest Bordeaux classicism: peppermint, ripe blackcurrant, incense, leather. Warm and rich palate, quite genros, tight and tasty background, powerful and ripe tannins, long and intense finish, backed by a nice freshness. Ageing: 2015-2035.
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