Château Montrose

Five kilometres north of Pauillac in Saint-Estèphe, the northernmost appellation of the Médoc. The ideal situation occurs for Montrose, situated on a very well-drained and exposed gravelly outcrop which runs for over a kilometre along the Gironde estuary.

It is said that Montrose vineyard escaped the frost in 1991 and the development of botrytis during the 2013 harvest due to its location which is regulated by the estuary in adverse weathers. Montrose's situation, on an outcrop overlooking the estuary, is precious to the vineyard because of its exposure to wind and sun.

Located in the Médoc, the family history dates back to 1815, written in two centuries by three families of owners. The first planting of the vines took place in 1815, and on land acquired by the Dumoulin family from the Prince of Vines, Alexandre de Ségur.

Dollfus was a pioneer in human resources, staff were treated with unique and generous working and living conditions, evening shares of profits were distributed and free healthcare. Dollfus was also the designer of the Montrose village, with its squares and streets, he had a huge influence on the life of the estate. A visionary entrepreneur, he managed to halt the scourge of phylloxera by installing a wind turbine which pumped water from an underground well and flooded the land, saving the vineyard. The wind turbine, preserved by successive generations of owners, is now one of the symbols of Montrose.

There are currently three wines produced at the estate, Chateau Montrose, Le Dame de Montrose (second label, using the same rigorous standards from the first wine and from grapes grown in the same vineyard) & Tertio de Montrose.

The second wine, Le Dame de Montrose was created in 1983 in tribute to Yvonne Charmolüe, who ran Château Montrose single-handedly from 1944 to 1960.

The wines have considerable ageing potential and are exceptionally long-lived. Certain vintages (1921, 1929, 1982, 1990, 2009) are considered legendary. Matured for 18 months in 60% new French oak barrels, the premium wine accounts from 35 to 40% of the total production of Château Montrose.

The Premium Wine, Château Montrose, is matured for 18 months in 60% new French oak barrels from eight different coopers.

For the second wine, La Dame de Montrose, the proportion of new barrels is 30% and the wine is matured on average for 12 months.

The third wine, Tertio de Montrose is matured for 12 months in 15% new barrels.