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Wine Description
The Story
Made to the same rigorous standards as the first wine, from grapes grown in the same vineyard, La Dame de Montrose is the estate’s second label. Supple and silky Merlot generally predominates in the varietal mix. Its very pronounced red fruit aromas and flavours reflect another expression of the terroir in a distinctive style which is less elaborately complex than that of the first wine.
Consistently reliable and reaching maturity sooner, the wine was created in 1986 in tribute to Yvonne Charmolue, who ran Château Montrose single-handedly from 1944 to 1960. Production varies from one year to another but accounts on average for 30% of the total production of the Montrose vineyard. It is matured for 12 months in 30% new oak barrels.
Wine Information
2010 was particularly dry and relatively hot- climate data characteristics of great Bordeaux vintages (1929, 1945, 1947,1959,1961,1989, and 2009).
From Spring to Fall, this climate imposed itself, allowing the berries to grow and reach perfect maturity. We thus waited to grape harvest with confidence and serenity, always benefitting from the homogenous single block vineyard of great quality.
Perfect maturity and tannins of the grapes, brought a balance between power and elegance, abundance and finesse. The tannins are silky and smooth with complex aromas, all qualities of a great Montrose wine.
Period of harvest
September 27th – October 15th
Blending
- Cabernet-Sauvignon: 64 %
- Merlot: 36 %
Tasting notes
Dense black color, with violet highlights.
Complex nose with notes of morello cherry, raspberry, dark tobacco, Havana, and a touch of vanilla
Net attack in the mouth. Mid-mouth fresh and ample. Long finish on neat tannins. Great homogeneity in the tasting with recurring notes of raspberry, vanilla and mocha. Discreetly wooded.
Vintage 2010
Drought and cool temperatures contribute to optimal ripeness
The sum of summer temperatures in 2010 was close to that of summer 2009 (962°C compared to 982°C), but significantly colder than those of 2005, which totaled 1052°C. These cool temperatures had a substantial influence on the balance of our wines, preserving a good level of acidity and an attractive aromatic freshness.
Very little precipitation (only 267 mm) from March to August 2010 generating a drought of similar intensity to that of 2005, when only 227 mm of rain fell.
Another characteristic of the 2010 vintage is the low temperatures especially during the first three weeks of August, which allowed good acidity levels to be preserved in the grapes while maintaining an attractive aromatic freshness.