Château Montrose 2001
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 2001 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 93+
Tasted at the chateau, the 2001 Montrose is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 24 September and 9 October. It has quite a tightly wound bouquet that either needs a hefty decant or preferably, another 5-6 years in bottle. The scents that can be coaxed are attractive: blackberry, a touch of tar and pencil box, later Indian ink and cedar wood. The palate is medium-bodied with gently gripping tannin, a fine line of acidity and impressive harmony. This gains complexity towards the finish. Tensile, minerally and edgy, this is becoming a highly pleasurable Montrose that will surprise a few people. Sure, it does lack some persistence, however, keep an eye on this. Tasted September 2016.
Wine Spectator
Point Score: 92-94
Sweet and ripe fruit, with spice and tarragon. Full- to medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a long finish. Refined. Almost like 1996. Score range: 92-94
Stephen Tanzer - Vinous
Point Score: 96
Bright, saturated ruby-red. Very dark, perfumed aromas of cassis, blackberry, violet and minerals. Bright but youthfully tight, with flavors of black fruits and minerals and moderate density. Austere but not hard. Finishes firm and backward, with very good grip. Extremely unevolved and difficult to assess today.