The reopening of Château Montrose, announced for 18 May, is primarily intended to allow professionals and journalist-tasters to taste the 2019 vintage, a vintage particularly favoured by nature but victim of the Covid-19 health crisis, which prevented its presentation during the traditional primeurs week in March/April. These professional meetings will take place within the very organised framework of strict health procedures put in place by the estate.

Gradual and partial end to lockdown
As soon as the lockdown was announced on 16 March, Château Montrose, like many other companies, took steps to deal with this unprecedented Coronavirus crisis. Since then, work has never stopped and the teams have provided the continuity necessary for the proper operation of the estate.
In the vineyard, it was necessary to rethink and adapt the work of the staff, to respect health safety measures. Château Montrose is fortunate to have a permanent staff and has escaped the difficulties linked to the lack of manpower in the wine sector. Work therefore continued as normal. Spring and the fine sunny days in March favoured an early bud burst. Each in their respective plots, the vineyard staff worked the soil and carried out other preparations necessary for the harvest to come. The teams in the cellar, reorganised to comply strictly with health regulations, also continued their work. Finally, the administration and support functions were partially relocated to continue their activity by teleworking.

The reopening of the estate announced for 18 May will take place gradually and partially.
Priority is being given to professional buyers as well as tasters/journalists, so far denied the chance to assess this 2019 vintage. The property has always attached particular importance to its primeur presentation and is very attentive to the organisation, at the château, of tastings of these young and fragile wines which are just entering their ageing period.
This reopening has been thought out in great detail in order to preserve the health of the teams, fully guarantee the safety of visitors and ensure the quality of the tastings and the richness of the discussions.

 2019, a vintage marked by the health crisis but highly favoured by nature
Even if the 2019 vintage will be marked in history by the Covid-19 health crisis, it will remain in the memories of winegrowers as a solar vintage, a fine vintage ending in “9” and among the hottest years of the decade.
2019 also marks an important step in the advancement of the environmental approach at Château Montrose, where the vineyard is now 100% managed according to the principles of sustainable viticulture. This year, the good climatic conditions combined with “green” practices at the 90 hectares estate resulted in a very good harvest combining quantity and quality.

 A look back at a great vintage ending in “9”
The exceptionally mild and dry winter was marked by temperatures above seasonal norms. The risk of frost in mid-April was avoided thanks to the moderating influence of the nearby estuary. Some rains in the first fortnight of June had raised fears of disease developing, but the vineyard remained in a very good state of health. The estate has kept to its environmental course. During the two heatwaves in June and July, the clay soils with their high water retention capacity avoided water stress for the vine. Uniform and rapid full flowering took place in the first week of June. Colour change on the first berries was observed from 30 July. Then the veraison was irregular, slowed down by cool and rainy weather in August.
The harvest took place from 19 September to 8 October in good conditions despite some intermittent rains. Intra-plot picking followed by tailor-made vinification made it possible to benefit this year from 80 free-run batches and 7 press batches for blending. Each batch has contributed to the signature of the estate’s wines.
The first tastings quickly suggested a vintage very close to 2016 with good substance and ripe, precise and concentrated tannins that rank it among the great vintages of Montrose.

Château Montrose

64% Cabernet Sauvignon

30% Merlot

5% Cabernet Franc

1% Petit Verdot

La Dame de Montrose

48% Cabernet Sauvignon

45% Merlot

3% Cabernet Franc

4% Petit Verdot