Château Montrose

Château Montrose is a historic Bordeaux wine estate in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of France's Médoc region. Its red wine was included among the fifteen Deuxièmes Crus, or Second Growths, in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. That classification established Montrose as one of the region's leading estates and remains central to the brand's identity and market positioning. The property is located in the easternmost of the major Médoc communes, where its vineyard benefits from a distinctive combination of gravel and black sand over clay and marl. The vineyard covers approximately 168 acres, or about 68 hectares, and is planted primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The stated planting proportions are approximately 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. This blend and the estate's soil profile contribute to wines with substantial structure, deep color, pronounced tannin and considerable aging potential. Montrose produces three red wines. The estate's principal wine is Château Montrose, commonly referred to as the Grand Vin. La Dame de Montrose is the second wine, intended to offer the estate's character in a more accessible form, while Tertio de Montrose is a third, more modestly priced wine. Together, these wines extend the estate's range while retaining a connection to the Saint-Estèphe vineyard and house style. The wines are generally associated with power, richness and firm tannic structure. In strong vintages, they may require many years of cellaring before their components become fully integrated; descriptions of the estate commonly cite maturation periods of up to two decades in excellent years. Montrose has also achieved notable recognition in modern vintage assessments. The 1990, 2009 and 2010 vintages were each awarded 100 points by Robert M. Parker Jr., according to the referenced material. The estate's reputation also extends beyond traditional Bordeaux classification. Its 1970 vintage placed third among ten French and California red wines in the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting, a landmark comparative tasting that was won by an American wine. Since 2006, Château Montrose has been owned by Olivier and Martin Bouygues. Under their ownership, the estate remains an active producer and an internationally traded luxury wine brand, with its identity grounded in classified-growth status, a distinctive Saint-Estèphe terroir and a portfolio led by its Grand Vin.

Château Montrose is a wine estate in Saint-Estèphe, one of the principal communes of the Médoc in Bordeaux. The estate's documented public identity is closely linked to the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, in which its wine was ranked among the fifteen Deuxièmes Crus, or Second Growths. That designation placed Montrose in the upper tier of Bordeaux producers and continues to shape the estate's commercial and cultural importance. The vineyard lies in the eastern part of Saint-Estèphe. Its approximately 168 acres of vines are planted on gravel and black sand, with clay and marl beneath the surface. The combination provides the physical setting for a traditionally structured Saint-Estèphe wine. Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for about 65 percent of plantings, with Merlot at approximately 25 percent and Cabernet Franc at approximately 10 percent. The resulting wines are typically dark, powerful and strongly tannic, with the capacity to develop over long periods in bottle. Montrose's principal wine is the estate-named Château Montrose, or Grand Vin. The property also makes La Dame de Montrose as a second wine and Tertio de Montrose as a third wine. This three-wine structure allows the estate to distinguish its top selection from wines made for comparatively earlier drinking or broader price accessibility, while keeping all three associated with the Montrose name. The estate's historical reputation has been reinforced by performance in important tastings and vintage evaluations. The 1970 Montrose was ranked third among ten French and California red wines at the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting. Although the tasting was won by an American wine, Montrose's result placed it among the strongest performers in the comparison. In later critical assessments, the 1990, 2009 and 2010 vintages each received 100 points from Robert M. Parker Jr., highlighting the estate's standing in particularly successful years. Montrose wines are often described as requiring patience. In excellent vintages, their tannins and concentration can mean that they take as long as twenty years to mature. This long-term development is a core part of the brand's appeal to collectors and fine-wine merchants. Since 2006, the estate has been owned by Olivier and Martin Bouygues. Château Montrose continues to operate as an active classified Bordeaux winery, selling its wines in France and internationally. Its present identity combines the institutional prestige of the 1855 classification, the geological and viticultural characteristics of Saint-Estèphe, a focused red-wine portfolio and a reputation for powerful, age-worthy vintages.

• 2006

  Bouygues family ownership begins

  [1]Château Montroseen.wikipedia.org

  Olivier Bouygues and Martin Bouygues became owners of Château Montrose.

• 1990

  100-point vintage recognition

  [1]Château Montroseen.wikipedia.org

  The 1990 vintage was awarded 100 points by Robert M. Parker Jr., according to the referenced account.

• 1970

  Strong result at the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting

  [1]Château Montroseen.wikipedia.org

  The 1970 vintage placed third among ten French and California red wines at the historic 1976 Paris Wine Tasting.

• 1855

  Classified as a Bordeaux Second Growth

  [1]Château Montroseen.wikipedia.org

  Château Montrose was included among the fifteen Deuxièmes Crus in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, establishing its enduring classified-growth status.

Top-tier classified Bordeaux estate wine from Saint-Estèphe, positioned around terroir expression, long aging potential, rarity and the prestige of the 1855 Second Growth classification.

• Grand Vin / classified-growth red Bordeaux

  Château Montrose

  The estate's flagship red wine and the principal expression of its Saint-Estèphe vineyard. It is built primarily around Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc in supporting roles. The wine is associated with depth, concentration, firm tannins and long cellaring potential. In particularly successful vintages, it may require many years, potentially up to two decades, to reach full maturity.

• Second wine

  La Dame de Montrose

  La Dame de Montrose is the estate's second wine. It provides a more accessible interpretation of the Montrose property than the Grand Vin while remaining connected to the estate's vineyard, production identity and Saint-Estèphe origin. It forms the middle tier of the estate's three-wine portfolio.

• Third wine

  Tertio de Montrose

  Tertio de Montrose is the estate's third red wine and is described as a more modestly priced offering than the Grand Vin. It broadens access to the Montrose name while remaining part of the château's structured product range.

1. 1Château Montroseen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Château Montrose official websitechateau-montrose.com