La Dame de Montrose 2019 Saint Estephe 《ZF635F》

Chateau Montrose is known today for its powerful, full bodied Bordeaux wine. But that is not what the property was originally known for. In fact, before Bordeaux wine was produced at the estate, it earned fame for being a hunting area.

That all changed when Alexandre de Segur, who also owned numerous, other illustrious Bordeaux properties such as Chateau Mouton, Chateau Lafite and Chateau Latour, gave the property to his son, Nicolas Alexandre. At the time, the estate was known as La Lande de l’Escargeon. Alexandre did not keep the property long. In 1778, he sold it to Etienne Theodore Dumoulin.

During the early 1800’s what we know of today as Montrose was actually part of the large Calon Segur estate. It was Etienne Dumoulin who created Chateau Montrose, due to its unique, hillside, gravel terroir.

What Etienne Dumoulin noticed in those days is thought of as one of the best terroirs in all of Bordeaux today. It is at that point in time, that the true birth Chateau Montrose takes place. The Dumoulin family eventually sold Chateau Calon Segur and retained Chateau Montrose.

Next, under the direction of the son of Etienne Dumoulin, Theodore Dumoulin, the vineyards for Chateau Montrose were fully planted. The Dumoulin family built the chateau that is in use today. They also added modern wine making facilities and cellars.

By1815, Chateau Montrose was on its way to being one of the top vineyards Saint Estephe. Because they were not producing wine before 1815, that makes Chateau Montrose the youngest of all the 1855 Classified Growths.

How did Chateau Montrose get its name? According to local legend, when the heather was in flower, the hillsides turned pink. Keep in mind, pink is rose in French. In time, sailors on the river referred to the area as Mont Rose.

Tasting Note