2018 Château Montrose Saint-Estèphe Grand Cru Classé

2018 marks an important step in the conversion of our vineyard to sustainable viticulture. The weather conditions created strong parasite pressure, requiring extreme vigilance. The management of the vineyards was therefore complex, but the direction of our environmental approach was firmly maintained. The good weather and heat at the end of summer, similar to 2009, ensured the vintage, which expressed incredible potential in the cellar. The year started with a very rainy winter. The spring was wet and warm and the bud burst came late. Early flowering occurred just before some rain showers in early June, which led to minor problems with poor fruit set. The very strong pressure of mildew did not distract us from our move towards sustainable viticulture and we accepted the prospect of a significant drop in yields.

The hot and dry summer was characterized by strong water stress from the end of July. These weather conditions tended to limit the growth of the berries, but greatly increased their concentration. The harvest took place under perfect conditions. In the cellar, given the small size of the grapes (20% below average), the ratio of skins to juice was definitely in favor of the skins. The first extractions, more carefully controlled than ever, quickly produced highly concentrated juices of exceptional richness. The painstaking work on the pressed wine continued: 6 batches of very high quality complemented the 61 batches of free range and enriched the basis for our blends.

The first tastings show the signs of a very great vintage, a subtle combination of the fruity aromatic profile of the 2009 and the precision of the 2016. The grapes were picked between September 17th and October 5th. The composition of the 2018 vintage consists of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20& Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The wine has a deep and intense ruby red color. The nose is delicate and very complex. With aeration, the nose reveals aromas of black fruits and white flowers, accompanied by subtle smoky notes. In the mouth the attack is full of exceptional aromatic richness. Powerful and silky, it offers incredible length and finesse.

FACT: Under the tab: Attachment you will find the official fact sheet and we will send it to you digitally when you order this wine. It is also worth mentioning that we purchase the (Bordeaux) wines directly and never purchase them through intermediaries because we do not know which journeys the wine has made and how it has been treated. The wines come from the cellars of the Chateau directly to our conditioned Warehouse in Dordrecht where all our wines are stored.