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Château Montrose has always been regarded as the “First Growth of St-Estèphe” – a Deuxième Cru Classé of 1855 right on the Gironde. On 95 hectares of deep gravel, the Bouygues family produces a classic, muscular and extremely long-lived St-Estèphe whose younger vintages increasingly show finesse. Secure the Grand Vin or Bordeaux’s oldest second wine, La Dame de Montrose – a Super Second at First-Growth level.
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Château Montrose is a Deuxième Cru Classé of the 1855 Classification and lies directly on the Gironde in the appellation St-Estèphe, on the Left Bank. It has long been regarded as the “First Growth of St-Estèphe” – for a classic, muscular and long-lived style that stems from the deep gravel slopes along the river. On 95 hectares in a single block, the estate produces a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated St-Estèphe of great ageing potential. The estate has been owned by the Bouygues family since 2006; Managing Director since 2022 is Pierre Graffeuille. The Grand Vin is complemented by La Dame de Montrose and Tertio de Montrose.
Montrose is a comparatively “young” estate: laid out in 1815 by Théodore Dumoulin on a previously unused rise covered in pink heather (“mont rose”), it was barely a few decades old by 1855 – and was nonetheless classified as a Second Growth. After an era spanning three generations under the Charmolüe family, the Bouygues family acquired the estate in 2006. President is Mélissa Bouygues; Charlotte Bouygues has overseen strategy and development since 2022. Management was taken over in October 2022 by Pierre Graffeuille, who had previously held a leadership role at the Delon estates and succeeded Hervé Berland.
Montrose is a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé of 1855 and has long been regarded as the “First Growth of St-Estèphe” – not merely since the estate, like its neighbour Cos d’Estournel, brought in former First Growth directors. The more recent vintages appear increasingly polished and elegant, without losing their characteristic power.
The 95 hectares lie almost entirely on terraces 3 and 4, on deep gravel with iron-rich sand over clay-marl. The riverside position is key: breezes keep the vines healthy, and the slopes rise to 18 metres. 110 parcels and 26 microclimates govern picking times and vineyard work. The vineyard lies almost unchanged where founder Théodore Dumoulin laid it out in 1815.
The grape mix comprises 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, at 9,000 vines per hectare; in the Grand Vin, the Cabernet share can rise above 70 per cent. The aim is to increase the share of Cabernet in the vineyard to as much as 65 per cent. Old Cabernet vines from 1932 stand close to the river in the front part of the estate.
Montrose is a model of environmentally conscious work: in 2018, 45 hectares were farmed organically, and from 2019 all 95 hectares; the CO₂ generated during fermentation is captured and reused. The cellars, completed in 2013, extend six metres underground, make use of geothermal energy and photovoltaics, and the doubled wall thickness provides natural temperature control. The Grand Vin is aged in around 60 per cent new oak, La Dame de Montrose in 20 per cent.
The Grand Vin Château Montrose accounts for around 40 per cent of production. The second wine, La Dame de Montrose (around 30 per cent), is among the oldest second wines in Bordeaux (dating back to the 1860s); the third wine, Tertio de Montrose (around 30 per cent), was called Le Saint-Estèphe de Montrose until the 2017 vintage. The family holdings also include Tronquoy (St-Estèphe), Clos Rougeard (Saumur-Champigny, since 2017), Domaine Henri Rebourseau (Gevrey-Chambertin) and – since 2024 – RdV Vineyards in Virginia (Lost Mountain).
Montrose is classic, muscular and long-lived: deep black fruit, cassis, graphite, liquorice, minerality and a firm, finely woven tannin structure. The more recent vintages show increasing finesse and a silky texture, without losing the stature of a great St-Estèphe.
Among the outstanding vintages are 2009 (100 points from several critics), 2010, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022; the 2023 is regarded as especially elegant. Montrose has long been celebrated for its ageing potential.
In great vintages, the Grand Vin ages for forty years and more, and usually needs eight to twelve years to open up. La Dame de Montrose is at its peak after six to ten years.
European Wine-Searcher prices for current vintages (retail prices including VAT, indicative figures):
As the “First Growth of St-Estèphe”, Montrose ranks among the most reliable investments among the Second Growths.
An accessible entry point is offered by Tertio de Montrose and the seriously crafted second wine La Dame de Montrose. For collectors, the Grand Vin in great vintages is the strategic position – a muscular, extremely long-lived St-Estèphe.
Who owns Château Montrose? The estate has belonged to the Bouygues family since 2006 (President Mélissa Bouygues). Managing Director since October 2022 is Pierre Graffeuille, who succeeded Hervé Berland.
What classification does Montrose hold? It is a Deuxième Cru Classé (Second Growth) of the 1855 Classification – and is regarded as the “First Growth of St-Estèphe”.
What is the composition of the Grand Vin? The grape mix comprises 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot; in the Grand Vin, Cabernet Sauvignon can reach over 70%.
What are the second and third wines called? The second wine is La Dame de Montrose (dating back to the 1860s), the third wine is Tertio de Montrose (called Le Saint-Estèphe de Montrose until 2017).
How long can Montrose be cellared? In great vintages, the Grand Vin ages for forty years and more and usually opens up after eight to twelve years.
What does a bottle of Montrose cost? Current vintages of the Grand Vin sell for around 110 to 190 euros on the European market, with sought-after vintages fetching more. La Dame de Montrose starts at around 40 euros.
Montrose embodies the classic, long-lived St-Estèphe and is regarded as the appellation’s “First Growth”. With uncompromising, environmentally conscious work under the Bouygues family and a quality level at a historic peak, the estate ranks among the great names of the Left Bank.
