2022 La Dame de Montrose Château Montrose Saint-Estèphe 0.75l

2021 La Dame de Montrose Château Montrose - Saint-Estèphe
single-vineyard wine

Origin:

Château Montrose was founded in 1815 and has been one of the Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growth) of the Médoc since its classification in 1855. The estate boasts a unique location directly on the Gironde River and boasts 95 hectares of vineyards planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. La Dame de Montrose , first produced in 1983, is the house's second wine. It comes from the same vineyards as the Grand Vin, but exhibits a slightly earlier, more charming character. The estate is located at the northernmost point of the appellation, directly on the wide banks of the Gironde River. This unique microclimate protects the vines from frost and balances extreme temperature fluctuations—a decisive advantage in challenging vintages like 2022.

Expansion:

The 2022 vintage of La Dame de Montrose consists of 71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc . The harvest took place between September 2nd and 22nd , when the grapes were in perfect health. Vinification followed the château's traditional method: rigorous selection, temperature-controlled fermentation, and aging in oak barrels. The proportion of new oak in La Dame is kept lower than in the Grand Vin to preserve freshness and approachability.

Aroma & Taste:

On the nose, the wine is profound and subtle: floral notes of white blossoms and violets combine with hints of fresh gooseberries and delicate ink. On the palate, it is clear, straightforward, and long , carried by elegant fruit (red currants) and a subtle, brioche-like spice. Despite the vintage's strength, the texture remains silky and distinguished—a "lady" with temperament and refined authority.

Food recommendation:

An ideal accompaniment to braised veal, rack of lamb, or duck breast , as well as mushroom dishes or mature Comté. Its elegance also makes it a sophisticated solo wine for festive occasions.

Special features of the 2022 vintage in Saint-Estèphe:

The 2022 vintage was characterized by a mild winter, followed by a very dry spring and a hot summer with four significant heat waves. Thanks to the proximity to the Gironde region, the vines were spared frost damage, and the deep soils of Montrose once again demonstrated their resilience to drought stress . The harvest took place under optimal conditions, producing concentrated, ripe, and healthy berries . 2022 is therefore considered a brilliant vintage , impressively demonstrating the strengths of the terroir.

Conclusion:

La Dame de Montrose 2022 is a prime example of a great château's second wine: distinctive, more accessible than the Grand Vin, yet still clearly expressing the house's signature. It combines the finesse of Merlot with the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting the exceptional resilience of the Montrose terroir in one of the hottest vintages of the decade. A wine that will delight young and will also carry several years of aging with elegance.