1996 Château Montrose, St Estèphe, Bordeaux

Description

Ch. Montrose is at the leading edge of low-impact winemaking in Bordeaux. For more than 15 years, the property has been improving biodiversity, vineyard health energy use – plus all the CO2 from fermentation is captured and turned into bicarbonate of soda. “Ch. Montrose is in the middle of nature,” says spokesperson Lorraine Watrin. “Our vision here is to reveal the beautiful riches of the terroir.”

Known as the Latour of St Estèphe for its power and longevity, this estate is an excellent source of top Claret. With 73% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, this exhibits beautifully-balanced tannins and precise, sweet fruit. It is a classic Montrose and a delicious example of Bordeaux at its best. Decant this wine at least an hour before drinking to unleash its glorious potential. Drink until 2025.

Colour Red

Sweetness Dry

Vintage 1996

Maturity Ready - at best

Grape List Cabernet Sauvignon (76%), Merlot (20%), Cabernet Franc (3%), Petit Verdot (1%)

Body Full Bodied

Producer Château Montrose

About this wine

Cabernet Sauvignon

The most famous red wine grape in the world and one of the most widely planted.

Find out more

Saint-Estèphe

Saint-Estèphe is the northernmost of the most important communes of the Médoc, bordering Pauillac on its southernmost border, with only a gully and stream separating it from Ch. Lafite Rothschild. The wines can appear austere in youth, but the best typically display good depth of colour, pronounced acidity and tannins in youth, and are exceptionally long-lived. At their best, they are the equal of almost any Bordeaux.

Find out more