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Wine Description
The Story
The result of rigorous selection at each stage of production, in both the vineyard and the winery, this great, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon wine is typical of the Saint-Estèphe appellation. Structured and tannic but with all the elegance and refinement of a Grand Cru Classé, with time it develops a delicate and complex bouquet.
The wines have considerable ageing potential and are exceptionally long-lived. Certain vintages (1921, 1929, 1982, 1990, 2009, 2016) are considered legendary.
Matured for 18 months in 60% new oak barrels, the premium wine accounts on average for 55% of the estate’s total production.
The 95-hectare vineyard in one single block, extremely unusual in the Medoc, is located on a very well exposed gravelly land, by the Gironde. The vineyard hence overlooks the estuary. The proximity to this vast body of water locally called “river” has a very smoothing climatic impact on the vineyard. The river and its tide mitigate and moderate the climate’s rigor: by mollifying the frost and refreshing blazing summer heat.
60 % of new french oak barrels, supplied by several carefully- selected coopers are used in Montrose, and 40 % in one year old barrels. The average ageing period is 16 to 18 months.
For our second wine, DAME DE MONTROSE, the proportion of new french oak barrels reaches about 15 to 20 %. The average ageing is 12 months; so begins a long process of racking rhythm.
This is a very natural process of slow wine decanting, to isolate the fine particles still present in the wine. All the wines are finely racked every 3 months, a very traditional method.
The wine is moved from one barrel to the other by gravity. Once the barrel’s bottom is reached, the workers carefully view, with a candle, the lees coming off the clear part of the wine. The fining is made traditionally, in barrels, with fresh egg whites, in order to refine the wine and to soften the tannins.
Wine Information
Main characteristics of the vintage
An exceptional vintage as 1970 can only be fashioned with exceptional climatic conditions. The beautiful and hot spring allowed the vine to grow favourably. Then, in June, the midblossoming took place on June 12th and the fair weather supported an excellent fertilization.
From summer until the harvest period, the weather was hot and dry, with only a few minor storms. The harvest began on September 23rd. The weather was fair and very hot until September 29th (29° to 30°C in the afternoon). From September 30th to October 3rd, clouds took over the sky and the temperatures dropped drastically (20°C maximum). Even with sun the temperatures were fresh until October 11th. Even so, the picking of the grapes showed a great quality with a particularly high alcoholic degree (12-13.5 %).
Period of harvest
September 23rd – October 11th
Blend
- Cabernet-Sauvignon: 65 %
- Merlot: 25 %
- Cabernet franc: 10 %
Tasting notes
Purple colour with light brick tints.
Before aeration the nose is closed and noticeably opens after a few minutes, revealing notes of freshness, black fruit, liquorice and tobacco.
The palate is complex, greedy, full, and balanced. The finish is very silky.
Splendid, racy, harmonious, and very well-balanced wine.