At a glance

Producer

Château Montrose

Region

Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$60-$110 USD per bottle (750ml)

Tasting profile

Rich blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, graphite, cedar, earth, secondary notes of tobacco and leather emerging.

Evolution: Moving from vibrant fruit to increased complexity with savory and earthy tertiary notes.

At peak: Plush fruit, integrated tannins, bouquet of aged Bordeaux with harmonious balance.

Structure

Acidity

Fresh, medium-high

Tannins

Firm, well-integrated; grippy but smoothing with age

Alcohol

14% ABV (typical for 2009 Bordeaux)

Aging potential

Medium to long (total window 15-20 years); 2009 is a ripe, long-lived vintage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2019 to 2041

Optimal window

2016 to 2044

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Starting to show tertiary development while retaining fruit structure; at its best or nearly so

2009 was a warm and ripe vintage allowing exceptional fruit development and structure, granting La Dame de Montrose a longer drinking window than most second wines. By 2024, it is transitioning from best freshness into tertiary complexity, with peak enjoyment due to the matured tannins and deep fruit.

Food pairing

Roast lamb, grilled ribeye, duck confit, hard cheeses (Comté, aged cheddar), mushroom risotto.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — Allows reduction of sediment and full aromatic expression from mature wine, softening any remnant tannic edges.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Transition to sustainable/organic farming accelerated after 2013; in 2009 practices were conventional but estate had begun sustainable initiatives (reduced synthetic inputs, cover crops, energy-saving in winery); eco-friendly water management implemented post-2012

For the 2009 vintage, Château Montrose had not yet finalized their shift to fully certified sustainable viticulture (HVE Level 3 obtained much later, organic conversion steps began post-2013). Minimal synthetic inputs, some energy and water-saving initiatives started, but bulk of sustainability advances post-date this wine. Classic glass packaging and export add to carbon footprint. Still, as a leading classified estate, Montrose has been an early advocate of responsible wine growing in the Médoc, and later vintages are notably improved. The 2009 offers moderate sustainability by Bordeaux standards for that era, but is not at the level of organic, biodynamic, or carbon-negative operations.