2009 Château Montrose Saint-Estèphe Grand Cru Classé

Hidden Cellar – exclusive selection of Grand Cru wines

The Hidden Cellar is Grand Cru's exclusive wine club concept, specially designed for our most loyal customers. You automatically become a member if you regularly order from Grand Cru. As a Hidden Cellar member, you'll have first access to a selection of exceptionally rare wines: vintages, iconic Bordeaux appellations and Burgundies, Italian Super Tuscans, Napa Valley wines, and rare Champagne. We can offer these gems directly from the wineries at very attractive prices, well below market. These are often wines that are no longer available or have become unaffordable. The wines come directly from the wineries and haven't traveled halfway around the world under uncertain circumstances. An overview of all the benefits can be found here .

Château Montrose Winery

Founded in the early 19th century, Château Montrose is among the finest in Saint-Estèphe. The estate is known for its powerful, structured wines with exceptional aging potential. In recent decades, the style has been further refined, with a greater emphasis on precision and balance, without losing its classic character. The vineyards are managed sustainably, with a focus on soil management and biodiversity. In the cellar, traditional methods are combined with modern techniques to combine concentration and finesse.

More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Region, climate and location

Château Montrose is located in Saint-Estèphe, in the northern Médoc region, directly on the banks of the Gironde Estuary. This location tempers extreme weather and contributes to the even ripening of the grapes. Saint-Estèphe is known for its powerful and structured wines. The 2009 vintage enjoyed a warm and sunny growing season with ideal conditions for full ripening while retaining sufficient freshness.

Vineyards

The vineyards are situated on deep gravel soils with a clay-rich subsoil. This combination ensures excellent drainage and a stable water supply during dry periods. The proximity of the Gironde estuary contributes to a stable microclimate. These conditions produce wines with power, structure, and pronounced mineral tension.

Grape varieties and composition

The blend is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, supplemented by Merlot and smaller portions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. In 2009, all the grape varieties achieved an exceptionally high level of quality, resulting in a particularly harmonious blend with depth and precision.

Harvest

The harvest took place under ideal conditions. The grapes were harvested at full maturity with perfect phenolic development. The warm growing season ensured concentration and ripe tannins, while maintaining natural acidity.

Vinification

Vinification was carried out plot by plot, allowing for maximum control over quality and expression. Extraction was carefully managed to achieve power and concentration without harshness. Fermentation and maceration focused on balance and structure.

Maturation

The wine was aged in oak barrels with a carefully balanced use of new wood. This aging contributed to the complexity and integration of tannins, without overpowering the fruit. The result is a wine with enormous depth and impressive aging potential.

Color, smell and taste

The color is deep and intense ruby red. The aroma reveals black currants, forest fruits, cigar box, graphite, earthy notes, and subtle spices. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and layered, with velvety yet powerful tannins, perfectly integrated acidity, and impressive concentration. The finish is exceptionally long, precise, and mineral-driven.

Development and drinking window

This 2009 Montrose is still in its early stages of development and is designed for very long aging. Further bottle aging will enhance its complexity and nuance. Since this wine is over 15 years old, wine is a natural product and aging can vary from bottle to bottle. The drinking window runs from approximately 2025 to 2060.

Summary of professional reviews

William Kelley awarded this wine the maximum score of 100 points, describing it as one of the absolute highlights of the vintage, with exceptional balance and depth. Neal Martin repeatedly rated the wine 98 to 98+ points, emphasizing its precision, minerality, and enormous aging potential. The consensus is that this is a benchmark Montrose, intended for several decades of aging.

The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

Wine and food pairings

• Hare pepper with cocoa and winter spices, where the power and depth of the wine are fully expressed.
• Slow-cooked beef skewer with black garlic jus, matching the structure and length of the wine.
• Venison calf with parsnip and a light spice jus, which supports concentration and balance.
• Risotto with mushrooms, aged Parmesan and thyme, which emphasises the earthy and mineral notes.
• Roasted beetroot with lentils and bay leaf, preserving the freshness and precision of the wine.