History
Château Montrose, located in the Saint-Estèphe region of Bordeaux, has a rich and storied history. The estate was first discovered by Etienne Théodore Dumoulin in 1815, who saw potential in the neglected land and began planting vines and constructing buildings for wine production. By 1850, the estate had grown to 50 hectares, and in 1855, it was classified as a Second Growth in the prestigious classification of Grands Crus Classés, despite being only 40 years old. After Dumoulin's death in 1861, Mathieu Dollfus, an Alsatian businessman, took over and significantly modernized the estate, including the installation of a wind turbine to combat phylloxera and providing housing and healthcare for the staff.
The estate remained under the Charmolüe family from 1896 to 2006, during which time it produced several legendary vintages. In 2006, Martin and Olivier Bouygues purchased the estate and initiated a seven-year renovation project that included the installation of state-of-the-art winemaking equipment, a reduction in carbon footprint, and the integration of photovoltaic panels. Today, Château Montrose is directed by Chairwoman Melissa Bouygues and managed by CEO Hervé Berland, with a focus on sustainable practices and organic conversion of the vineyard.
Terroir
The terroir of Château Montrose is characterized by a unique blend of gravelly outcrops and clay-rich subsoil, which was formed millions of years ago through geological layering. This patchwork of gravelly outcrops ensures natural drainage into the nearby Gironde estuary, while the soils retain just enough water to relieve the vines of excessive water stress during dry summer months. The proximity of the Gironde estuary also moderates the climate, softening the effects of excessive cold and heatwaves, thereby protecting the vines from frost and heat damage.
The vineyard is divided into four main blocks, further subdivided into 100 individual parcels, each with its own micro-terroir. The parcels vary in soil type, facing, vine age, yield, variety, and rootstock, allowing for a diverse range of grape varieties to thrive. The dominant grape variety is Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up 60% of the vineyard, complemented by Merlot (32%), Cabernet Franc (6%), and Petit Verdot (2%). The north-south exposure and northwest winds help rid the vineyard of excess humidity after rain, protecting the health of the vines.