# Château Montrose 2021 (2021)

- **Producer:** Château Montrose
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
- **Region:** Bordeaux, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €148
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, mint, black cherry, orange, blackberry, pencil shavings, cedar, spice, tobacco, rose, pine nuts, scorched earth, gravel, hazelnuts

## About this wine

Château Montrose 2021 is a distinguished red wine from the Saint-Estèphe appellation in Bordeaux, classified as a Second Growth in the 1855 Classification. The estate, owned by Martin and Olivier Bouygues, boasts a 95-hectare vineyard situated on gravel terraces near the Gironde estuary, with an average vine age of 40 years. The 2021 vintage was shaped by a challenging weather pattern, but benefited from a favorable late summer and early autumn, contributing to the wine's characteristic freshness. Château Montrose is committed to sustainability, utilizing renewable energy sources and undergoing organic conversion.

## Interesting facts

- Estate is in organic conversion.
- Uses geothermal energy and solar panels.
- Vineyard is largely a single block.
- Average vine age is around 40 years.

## Food pairing

The wine's structure, with its fine tannins and bright acidity, is well-suited to complement the richness of red meats and game. The tannins bind with the proteins, softening the wine and cleansing the palate, while the acidity cuts through any fattiness. Herbal notes in the food can echo or contrast with subtle nuances in the wine.

## Wine making process

Château Montrose employs traditional vinification methods for its 2021 vintage. Macerations typically last around three weeks, with careful attention paid to the quality of the press wine incorporated into the blend. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes 18 months of aging in French oak barrels, with 60% being new oak. The harvest for this vintage occurred between September 21 and October 6, benefiting from favorable late-season weather. The estate is actively engaged in sustainable practices, including the use of geothermal and solar energy, and is in the process of organic conversion.