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Château Montrose: Vintage Variation in Blending
Château Montrose is a red wine producer in Saint-Estèphe, on Bordeaux's Left Bank. It was classified as a Second Growth in the 1855 classification and owns contiguous vineyards facing the Gironde estuary. Here, we will interpret technical sheets from 2021 and 2022 to examine vintage differences in the blending.
Even if the main grape varieties remain the same between 2021 and 2022, the blend ratios change. List the aging conditions in barrel for both years and identify both the changes and the similarities.
Questions for this course
How do the grape blend and barrel aging differ within the wines of the same château?
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France / Bordeaux / Saint-Estèphe
Synonym/Label: Château Montrose / Château Montrose / Château Montrose
Update date: 2026-09-25
Read the ratio of four varieties for each year.
In 2021, the blend was: Cabernet Sauvignon 62%, Merlot 31%, Cabernet Franc 6%, Petit Verdot 1%. In 2022, these were 66%, 25%, 8%, and 1%. While the main grape varieties remain the same, Merlot's share is six points lower. These represent the composition of the finished wine, not vineyard planting ratios.
Comparison where maturation conditions are the same
Documentation for both years states 18 months in French oak, 60% new barrels. While the varietal blend changes, the recorded maturation period and new oak percentage remain the same. Instead of assuming 'everything changes with each vintage,' clearly distinguish each changed condition for a more precise comparison.
Do not determine taste by ratio alone.
Even if you find a year with a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, this alone does not determine tannin strength or aging potential. The condition of the harvested fruit and selection choices also play a role. First, show differences found in technical sheets for both years, then add tasting comparison as a separate observation.
What to align and what to compare.
Blend
- Conditions to standardize
- Grand Vin from the same label: 2021 and 2022
- Conditions for comparison.
- Merlot 31% and 25%, Cabernet Sauvignon 62% and 66%
- Additional points to confirm
- Ratio in the final wine, or planting ratio
Barrel aging.
- Conditions to standardize
- Technical data for the same two vintages.
- Conditions for comparison.
- 18 months and 60% new barrels are common
- Additional points to confirm
- Check for differences in descriptions of other aging requirements.
Flavor comparison
- Conditions to standardize
- Standardize the producers
- Conditions for comparison.
- Annual blending and condition of raw materials.
- Additional points to confirm
- Check not only the ratio but also if the maturation stages at tasting are matched.
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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Château Montrose: Reading the Technical Sheets – Vintage Variation in Blending
Compare the stated conditions in the documentation. Numbers specifying vintages should be treated as information for that specific year.
This summarizes materials published by producers, regional groups, and importers. Each source includes the publisher and the date the material was checked.
| Comparison items | What can be determined from the materials | Ability to distinguish by reading |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Blend | CS 62／M 31／CF 6／PV 1% | CS = Cabernet Sauvignon, M = Merlot, CF = Cabernet Franc, PV = Petit Verdot |
| 2022 blend | CS 66／M 25／CF 8／PV 1% | Ratio in the final wine, not the planting ratio |
| Barrel maturation in both years | 18 months, French oak, 60% new barrels | Separate period and proportion of new barrels from grape variety blend ratio. |
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Read the explanation for each question
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Which grape variety saw a decrease in proportion in 2022?
Merlot changed from 31% in 2021 to 25% in 2022. The comparison is based on the composition of finished wines each year. This difference cannot be interpreted as a reduction in vineyard area.
What maturation conditions are shared by both vintages?
Technical documentation for both years specifies 18 months of French oak aging with 60% new barrels. The new oak percentage refers to barrel usage, distinct from the proportion of a particular grape variety in the wine.
What can be confirmed from this comparison?
What can be verified from the figures are differences in blends and the maturation conditions listed. They are not a measure of wine quality. To discuss year-to-year taste, information such as fruit condition and tasting notes is also required.
Practice exercises in comparison
Please explain differences in raw materials and winemaking by reading the table and sources.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Comparison items | What can be determined from the materials | Ability to distinguish by reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Blend | CS 62／M 31／CF 6／PV 1% | CS = Cabernet Sauvignon, M = Merlot, CF = Cabernet Franc, PV = Petit Verdot | |
| 2022 blend | CS 66／M 25／CF 8／PV 1% | Ratio in the final wine, not the planting ratio | |
| Barrel maturation in both years | 18 months, French oak, 60% new barrels | Separate period and proportion of new barrels from grape variety blend ratio. |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Please explain the differences between 2021 and 2022, dividing them into grape variety composition and barrel aging.
Check after writing
- Merlot changed from 31% in 2021 to 25% in 2022. The comparison is based on the composition of finished wines each year. This difference cannot be interpreted as a reduction in vineyard area.
- Technical documentation for both years specifies 18 months of French oak aging with 60% new barrels. The new oak percentage refers to barrel usage, distinct from the proportion of a particular grape variety in the wine.
- What can be verified from the figures are differences in blends and the maturation conditions listed. They are not a measure of wine quality. To discuss year-to-year taste, information such as fruit condition and tasting notes is also required.
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