Château Montrose 1994
Review of the Estate
Chateau Montrose began as a plot of heather-covered land that was bequeathed to Thèodore Dumoulin by his father Etienne. The land at Chateau Montrose was originally part of the Calon-Sègur estate that Etienne acquired in 1778. By 1820, Thèodore had constructed a small chateau and vine plantings were already underway. Eventually the area was split from the greater Calon-Sègur estate and was renamed as Montrose-Sègur. By 1855 it had expanded to 50 hectares and was known simply as Chateau Montrose. At this point it was also classified as a deuxième cru (Second Growth).
Eventually Chateau Montrose was sold to M. Mathieu Dolfus, shortly after the passing of Thèodore. Under Dolfus, the cellars at Chateau Montrose were greatly expanded and he invested heavily in estate developments and infrastructure. This included the creation of a programme that provided benefits for vineyard workers and the construction of a small railway to transport wine from Chateau Montrose down to the riverside.
Soon after Dolfus passed away, in 1896 Chateau Montrose came into the ownership of the Charmolue family, who safely shepherded the chateau through the phylloxera epidemic and two World Wars, including the recovery process after the estate suffered bomb damage in WWII.
In 2006 Chateau Montrose was purchased from the Charmolue family by brothers Martin & Olivier Bouygues and they remain the current owners. However, in recognition of the important role that the Charmolue family played in the history of Chateau Montrose, the name of the estate's second wine, La Dame de Montrose (named for Yvonne Charmolue, who ran the estate from 1944 to 1960) remains unchanged.
Vineyard
Surface area: 169.2 acres
Grape Varieties: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot
Average age of vines: 43 years
Density of plantation: 9,000 vines per hectare
Average yields: 42 hectoliters per hectare
Average cases produced: 16,500 per year
Plateau of maturity: 3 - 25 years post-1970, 15 - 25 years pre-1970
Château Montrose 1994 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 87
Tasted at the chateau, the 1994 Montrose is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc picked between 15-26 September. It is still fresh after 22 years, although it does not quite bring the personality and charm of the 1993 to the table. It feels more predictable, a little unexciting, even though the blue fruit and hints of iodine lend something different. The nose just feels rather static. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin. This is foursquare, savory with notes of leather and truffle towards the finish that feels like it is beginning to dry out. On the plus side, this 1994 has decent harmony and length, and the hint of brown spice on the finish is pleasing. Drink now, because it will not improve any further. Tasted September 2016.
Wine Spectator
Point Score: 84
Rather lean for Montrose, but has some attractive berry, vanilla, spice and redwood aromas and flavors. Slightly dry finish. Best after 1997. 18,000 cases made. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 1997
Vinous
Point Score: 90-92
Brooding, roasted nose is quite enticing; faint note of damp earth. Lush, sweet black fruit in the mouth; has a glyceral, mouthfilling texture. Lingering finish, with thoroughly ripe, even tannins. A lovely '94.