Château Montrose La Dame de Montrose 2025

La Dame de Montrose is the second wine of Château Montrose, a 95 hectare estate in AOC Saint-Estèphe in the northern Médoc, farmed organically. The vineyards lie on deep gravel over clay, close to the Gironde estuary, whose moderating influence and the cool clay subsoils give Saint-Estèphe its firm structure and freshness. Where the grand vin leads on Cabernet, this blend is Merlot led, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, making for a rounder, more open style. After fermentation the wine ages for 18 months in 225 litre French oak barrels, where slow oxidation through the staves softens the tannins and adds cedar, tobacco and cocoa. The colour is deep and dark. The nose shows ripe plum, cherry and redcurrant over tobacco, earth and gentle spice. The palate is savoury and elegant, with ripe, fine tannins, fresh acidity and a long, mineral finish. More approachable than the grand vin, it still rewards a few years in the cellar. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast red meats and game.