2007 Chateau Montrose

Blessed with undisputed natural assets combined with advantages nurtured over the centuries, Château Montrose has one of the region’s most privileged winegrowing terroirs. The 95-hectare (234-acres) vineyard surrounds the château, the winery and the outbuildings in a single continuous sweep, an exceptional and historically very rare feature. As well as making the vineyard easier to work, this unity means that it can be treated as a single entity, providing ideal conditions for efficient organisation and for monitoring the condition of each parcel. The Montrose terroir corresponds to what geologists call “elite cores”. Over millions of years, a complex process of geological layering resulted in the creation of outcrops, ideal for making fine wines and ensuring natural drainage towards the estuary. The soil on these terraces consists of gravel mixed with sand on the surface over a clay-rich subsoil in which natural reserves form at depth, providing the vines with the water they need.

Apart from April being hot and dry, at the time the buds were opening, 2007 was notable for being warm and humid, with some rain, up until August. Autumn (September and October) was very dry and sunny, perfect for the ripening of the grapes. Again, this year, Montrose’s unique terroir played its important part with both the soil and the microclimate. Also, the permanent breeze from the Gironde combined with aeration of the grapes by careful « effeuillage » (removal of part of the leaf canopy) and a moderate green harvest hindered the development of mildew and grey rot. Time spent in the vineyard was most important this year, but this work (green harvest, preventative measures, and treatments) was essential to ensure perfectly healthy vines. Thus, we followed the maturity of the grapes with great confidence and were able to make our selection from evenly ripened parcels, high in quality and maturity.

Dense and profound colour. Complex nose delivering aromas of morello, blond tobacco and chocolate. Slightly wooded. Long and full on the palate with aromas of morello, raspberry, mocha. Supple and long finish on neat and coated tannins. Balanced and harmonious. The tasting was very homogeneous, soft and silky.