La Dame de Montrose is the second wine of Château Montrose, one of the two great estates of Saint-Estèphe. Unusually, it leans on Merlot rather than Cabernet, which makes it far more approachable than the Grand Vin.
Tasting Notes
Deep ruby with purple highlights. Aromas of ripe blackberry, cassis and violet with hints of cedar and tobacco. Silky and round on the palate with well integrated tannins, showing dark fruit, graphite and subtle spice before a smooth, lingering finish. Saint-Estèphe has more clay in its soil than the communes to the south, which usually makes for firmer, slower wines. The Merlot dominance here softens that considerably.
Quick Facts
- Grapes: Merlot dominant, with Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Petit Verdot
- Origin: France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estèphe (gravel over clay subsoil)
- ABV: 14%
- Style: Dry red, silky, approachable
- Status: The second wine of Château Montrose, a Deuxième Cru Classé of 1855
- Winemaking: Hand harvested, temperature controlled fermentation, around 12 months in French oak with a portion new
Food Pairing
Grilled or roast red meats, lamb, hearty stews, mushroom dishes, and aged cheeses such as Comté or Gruyère.
Serving
Serve at 16 to 18°C. Decant an hour before pouring.
About the Producer
Château Montrose sits on a gravel rise overlooking the Gironde at the northern end of the Médoc and was classified a second growth in 1855. It is known for producing some of the longest lived wines in Bordeaux, traditionally austere in youth, and is one of the two dominant estates of Saint-Estèphe alongside Cos d'Estournel.
