{"product_id":"2021-chateau-montrose-la-dame-de-montrose-saint-estephe","title":"2021 Château Montrose La Dame de Montrose Saint-Estèphe","description":"\u003cp\u003e2021 La Dame de Montrose is the refined second wine of the legendary Château Montrose in Saint-Estèphe, crafted with the same rigor and exacting standards as the estate’s grand vin. Merlot takes the lead here, lending a supple, silk-textured character that offers a more approachable and charming expression of this prestigious terroir. Created in 1983 as a tribute to Yvonne Charmolüe, who single-handedly ran Château Montrose from 1944 to 1960, La Dame de Montrose has since become one of Bordeaux’s most respected and consistently reliable second wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2021 La Dame de Montrose shows a deep, vibrant ruby-purple hue, youthful and luminous at the rim. The nose is immediately inviting and perfumed, with lifted aromas of black cherry, ripe blueberry and redcurrant intertwined with violets, subtle graphite, a touch of cedar and a hint of sweet spice from its time in oak.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied with a velvety, generous texture driven by its Merlot core (53%). Juicy black cherries and dark berries are framed by fine, polished tannins and a fresh, lively acidity that keeps everything poised and energetic. Cabernet Sauvignon and the dash of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc bring structure, backbone and floral complexity, giving the wine a classic Saint-Estèphe line without the need for decades of aging. While approachable and delicious in its youth, especially over the next 3–5 years, it also has the balance and structure to develop additional complexity over 8–12 years in a good cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLa Dame de Montrose is sourced entirely from the same exceptional gravel and clay terroir that underpins Château Montrose, overlooking the Gironde estuary in Saint-Estèphe. The maritime influence, well-drained gravel soils and cooler clay subsoils create the ideal conditions for structured yet elegant Bordeaux blends. Grapes are meticulously sorted and harvested parcel by parcel to ensure optimal ripeness and purity of fruit. The 2021 blend is 53% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Vinification follows the same demanding protocol as the grand vin, with fermentation in temperature-controlled vats and careful extraction to preserve finesse over power. The wine is then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, about 30% of which are new, adding gentle toasted notes and texture without overpowering the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis refined Saint-Estèphe is a versatile partner at the table, pairing beautifully with classic dishes such as roast lamb with herbs, grilled ribeye steak, duck breast, veal chops or a rich beef stew. It also complements hard cheeses like Comté or aged cheddar, as well as mushroom-based dishes and truffle risotto, where its aromatic lift and freshness shine. Serve at 16–18°C (about 60–64°F) for optimal expression. Younger bottles will benefit from a brief decant of 30–60 minutes to open up the bouquet and soften the tannins, while more mature bottles can be gently poured and enjoyed with minimal aeration.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Montrose is one of the great names of the Médoc, a Second Growth (Deuxième Cru Classé) in the 1855 Classification and a benchmark estate of Saint-Estèphe. Its prime terroir, a single large gravelly hill overlooking the Gironde, has long been revered for producing structured, age-worthy wines of remarkable depth and precision. La Dame de Montrose was introduced in 1983 as the estate’s second wine, honoring Yvonne Charmolüe, whose stewardship carried the château through the difficult mid-20th century. Today, under modern, quality-driven ownership, Montrose is renowned for its meticulous vineyard work, sustainability efforts and consistently high critical acclaim, with La Dame de Montrose standing out as one of Bordeaux’s most serious and characterful second labels.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Montrose","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251828314449,"sku":"GCW-MONT-21203-1","price":49.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2018_Chteau_Montrose_La_Dame_de_Montrose_SaintEstphe_1_1_1.png?v=1783441681","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2021-chateau-montrose-la-dame-de-montrose-saint-estephe","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}