About
Made to the same rigorous standards as the first wine, from grapes grown in the same vineyard, La Dame de Montrose is the estate’s second label. Supple and silky Merlot generally predominates in the varietal mix. Its very pronounced red fruit aromas and flavours reflect another expression of the terroir in a distinctive style which is less elaborately complex than that of the first wine. Consistently reliable and reaching maturity sooner, the wine was created in 1986 in tribute to Yvonne Charmolue, who ran Chateau Montrose single-handedly from 1944 to 1960. Production varies from one year to another but accounts on average for 30% of the total production of the Montrose vineyard. It is matured for 12 months in 30% new oak barrels.
Starting with the second wine and more exuberant and sexy than its 2015 counterpart, the La Dame de Montrose Saint-Estephe 2016 is a seriously impressive wine in its own right and gives a hint of the incredible quality found in the grand vin. Black raspberries, cassis, spring flowers and incense notes all emerge from this ripe, rounded, mouth-filling Saint-Estephe. It should be a terrific wine and keep for 15-20 years.