Chateau Montviel Pomerol Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Montviel Pomerol with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, information on vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Montviel History, Overview

Chateau Montviel was the first Pomerol estate purchased by Catherine Pere-Verge. She bought Chateau Montviel in 1985. Chateau Montviel was created from vineyards belonging to three little-known properties including; Bellevue-Montviel and La Croix des Templiers, as well as Montviel.

Following her purchase and creation of the new vineyard for Chateau Montviel, Catherine Pere Verge continued adding to her holdings in Pomerol when she subsequently obtained Chateau Le Gay, located on the famous plateau of Pomerol.

Her next two purchases were Chateau Tristan, Chateau Feytit-Lagrave, and later, Chateau La Violette. La Violette is also located on the prized terroir of the Pomerol plateau. The same technical team that produces Chateau Le Gay and Chateau La Violette also works with Chateau Montviel as well.

In fact, because there is no winery for Chateau Tristan, the wine is produced at Montviel. Starting with the 1988 vintage, Pere Verge brought in Michel Rolland as her consultant.

Chateau Montviel Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 10.1-hectare vineyard of Chateau Montviel is planted to 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. However, it is important to note that while the estate has 10.1 hectares of vines, only the 5 best hectares are used to produce Chateau Montviel. The vines for Chateau Montviel are placed in various parcels in the Pomerol appellation giving the estate two distinctly, different soil types.

The majority of their parcels are in terroir with fine, sand, and gravel soil. Their best parcels have terroirs with clay and gravel soil, which are located not far from Chateau Clinet. The vines are planted at a density of 5,500 vines per hectare. On average, the vines are close to 30 years of age.

To produce the wine of Chateau Montviel, the property started using micro vinification techniques starting with the 2013 vintage. The results were so good that starting with the 2014 vintage, they increased the amount of their production vinified in barrels.

Malolactic fermentation is conducted in the barrel with the first two months spent on the lees. Chateau Montviel is aged 100% new, French oak barrels. There is a second wine, La Rose Montviel. Production averages close to 1,800 cases of Chateau Montviel, wine per year.

The best vintages of Chateau Montviel are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2005 and 2000.

When to Drink Chateau Taillefer, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Taillefer can be enjoyed on the young side with an hour of decanting. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

However, I find the wine is usually better with 3-6 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. In the best years, the wine will best between 4 to 12 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Montviel with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Montviel is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Montviel is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Montviel is also good when matched with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

Aside from their Right Bank properties, the Pere Verge family also owns Chateau La Graviere in Lalande de Pomerol which produces about 4,000 cases of wine per year. Not content with only making wine in Bordeaux, they also own the well-known property, Monteviejo in Mendoza Argentina. The vineyards are located in Clos de Los Siete, in the Mendoza appellation.

Sadly, Catherine Pere Verge, the grand woman of Pomerol passed away from cancer the day before she was going to present her wines at a dinner for friends and members of the press, April 2013. She will be missed. Today, Chateau Montviel, and all the family-owned estates are owned and ably managed by her son Henri Parent.

www.montviel.com

Château Montviel Wine Tasting Notes

16 Vintages 70,771 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
91
Plummy fruits, flowers, cherries, and cocoa aromatics line the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, soft, silky, and fruity, with a sweet, red pit fruit finish. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2025-2037. 90-92 Pts.

Plummy fruits, flowers, cherries, and cocoa aromatics line the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, soft, silky, and fruity, with a sweet, red pit fruit finish. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2025-2037. 90-92 Pts.

2,051 Views   Tasted
2021
90
Medium-bodied, soft, elegant, forward and charming, this is effortless to drink with all of its soft, silky, ripe, sweet red fruits. This is pretty Pomerol that will be at its best in its youth, for all of its fruits and freshness. Drink from 2024-2031.

Medium-bodied, soft, elegant, forward and charming, this is effortless to drink with all of its soft, silky, ripe, sweet red fruits. This is pretty Pomerol that will be at its best in its youth, for all of its fruits and freshness. Drink from 2024-2031.

146 Views   Tasted
Fresh, forward, floral and vibrant, with bright red plums and cherries, freshness, lift and a touch of spicy chocolate to round things out in the finish of this medium-bodied wine. Drink from 2023-2032. 89-91

Fresh, forward, floral and vibrant, with bright red plums and cherries, freshness, lift and a touch of spicy chocolate to round things out in the finish of this medium-bodied wine. Drink from 2023-2032. 89-91

1,481 Views   Tasted
2020
92
Milk-chocolate-covered plums, espresso and flowers are all over the place here on the nose and silky, fresh, supple-textured palate, finishing with sensuously-textured black cherries, cocoa, and just a hint of peppery espresso that comes in at the back of the finish. This has really jumped in quality after its barrel aging. Drink from 2023-2038.

Milk-chocolate-covered plums, espresso and flowers are all over the place here on the nose and silky, fresh, supple-textured palate, finishing with sensuously-textured black cherries, cocoa, and just a hint of peppery espresso that comes in at the back of the finish. This has really jumped in quality after its barrel aging. Drink from 2023-2038.

1,010 Views   Tasted
2019
92
Loaded with chocolate covered plums, spice, smoke. earth and truffle, the wine is soft, polished, fresh, medium-bodied, elegant and rich. The earthy, fruit-packed, dark chocolate accented finish seals the deal. Give it a year or two in the bottle and it should be even better. This is the best vintage of Montviel I have ever tasted. Drink from 2023-2032.

Loaded with chocolate covered plums, spice, smoke. earth and truffle, the wine is soft, polished, fresh, medium-bodied, elegant and rich. The earthy, fruit-packed, dark chocolate accented finish seals the deal. Give it a year or two in the bottle and it should be even better. This is the best vintage of Montviel I have ever tasted. Drink from 2023-2032.

1,620 Views   Tasted
Truffle is the first note in the perfume, followed by flowers, coffee bean and ripe cherries. Medium-bodied, elegant and fresh, the fruity, soft, silky finish delivers a lot of charm. It is hard to find a better Pomerol for the money these days. 89-91 Pts

Truffle is the first note in the perfume, followed by flowers, coffee bean and ripe cherries. Medium-bodied, elegant and fresh, the fruity, soft, silky finish delivers a lot of charm. It is hard to find a better Pomerol for the money these days. 89-91 Pts

2,620 Views   Tasted
2018
91
Dark chocolate, mint, licorice, espresso and black with red plums come along on the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, soft, silky and savory, with a sweet, juicy, red pit fruit and herb filled finish. This is a serious value for the Pomerol region in 2018. Savvy shoppers should be all over this.

Dark chocolate, mint, licorice, espresso and black with red plums come along on the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, soft, silky and savory, with a sweet, juicy, red pit fruit and herb filled finish. This is a serious value for the Pomerol region in 2018. Savvy shoppers should be all over this.

2,449 Views   Tasted
Plummy and floral, the wine is sophistication and freshness. Medium-bodied and jam-packed with sweet black raspberries and licorice accents, the ripe, earthy plum and cherry fruits transport silkiness to the palate and into the finish. The wine is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. This is a serious value for the Pomerol region in 2018. Savvy shoppers should be all over this. 90-92 Pts

Plummy and floral, the wine is sophistication and freshness. Medium-bodied and jam-packed with sweet black raspberries and licorice accents, the ripe, earthy plum and cherry fruits transport silkiness to the palate and into the finish. The wine is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. This is a serious value for the Pomerol region in 2018. Savvy shoppers should be all over this. 90-92 Pts

3,069 Views   Tasted
2016
90
Espresso, licorice and dark cherries complete for your attention. The wine is forward, requiring very little aging time before you start enjoying its silky, kirsch character. The wine was made from blending 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

Espresso, licorice and dark cherries complete for your attention. The wine is forward, requiring very little aging time before you start enjoying its silky, kirsch character. The wine was made from blending 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

3,389 Views   Tasted
Flowers and black raspberry create the perfume, medium bodied, soft and forward, the wine offers elegant, polished, sweet black raspberries and spice on the palate and in the finish. You can drink this in just a year or two or age for pleasure. The wine was made from blending 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

Flowers and black raspberry create the perfume, medium bodied, soft and forward, the wine offers elegant, polished, sweet black raspberries and spice on the palate and in the finish. You can drink this in just a year or two or age for pleasure. The wine was made from blending 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

3,455 Views   Tasted
2015
91
The best vintage ever for Montviel, the wine is floral, earthy, soft, elegant and fruity. The cherry essence and silky tannins, with its forward approach, along with the length, persistence and freshness is really fine in this vintage.

The best vintage ever for Montviel, the wine is floral, earthy, soft, elegant and fruity. The cherry essence and silky tannins, with its forward approach, along with the length, persistence and freshness is really fine in this vintage.

2,827 Views   Tasted
Blending 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc produced an elegant, silky, medium-bodied, soft and sweet Pomerol with an appealing character that sells for a song. 89 - 91 Pts

Blending 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc produced an elegant, silky, medium-bodied, soft and sweet Pomerol with an appealing character that sells for a song. 89 - 91 Pts

2,669 Views   Tasted
2014
88
With a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this wine is ruby hued and medium bodied with fresh, brilliant red fruits. 88-89 Pts

With a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this wine is ruby hued and medium bodied with fresh, brilliant red fruits. 88-89 Pts

1,606 Views   Tasted
2013
87
Light red cherry and plum fruits, soft, medium bodied and focused on its red berry character, this is definitely vinified for early drinking pleasure.

Light red cherry and plum fruits, soft, medium bodied and focused on its red berry character, this is definitely vinified for early drinking pleasure.

1,948 Views   Tasted
From a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine showcases soft plum, espresso, licorice and earthy notes. With medium body and an open, earthy character highlighting red berries, this soft textured wine will be best consumed on the young side. 87-89 Pts

From a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine showcases soft plum, espresso, licorice and earthy notes. With medium body and an open, earthy character highlighting red berries, this soft textured wine will be best consumed on the young side. 87-89 Pts

2,677 Views   Tasted
2012
89
Sweet cherries, plum spicy, black raspberries and earthy scents open this medium bodied, soft textured wine. This was made for early drinking pleasure at a very consumer friendly, price point.

Sweet cherries, plum spicy, black raspberries and earthy scents open this medium bodied, soft textured wine. This was made for early drinking pleasure at a very consumer friendly, price point.

2,716 Views   Tasted
Sweet cherry and licorice scents, with an open, forward soft character that is already revealing its sweet plummy charms.

Sweet cherry and licorice scents, with an open, forward soft character that is already revealing its sweet plummy charms.

2,576 Views   Tasted
From a 4 hectare parcel, the wine was produced from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 13.5% ABV and will be aged in 30% new French oak barrels. Earthy cherries, licorice and truffle scents open to a lighter, charming, early-drinking style of Pomerol. 87-90 Pts

From a 4 hectare parcel, the wine was produced from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 13.5% ABV and will be aged in 30% new French oak barrels. Earthy cherries, licorice and truffle scents open to a lighter, charming, early-drinking style of Pomerol. 87-90 Pts

2,578 Views   Tasted
2011
87
Soft, forward, medium bodied and polished, the wine is soft, short and sweet, with nice cherry and plum note in the finish.

Soft, forward, medium bodied and polished, the wine is soft, short and sweet, with nice cherry and plum note in the finish.

2,504 Views   Tasted
From 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine offers floral and black cherry aromatics. In the mouth, there is a sensation of ripe, sweet and round black cherries with cocoa. 88-90 Pts

From 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine offers floral and black cherry aromatics. In the mouth, there is a sensation of ripe, sweet and round black cherries with cocoa. 88-90 Pts

2,721 Views   Tasted
2010
89
Medium bodied with plum, black raspberry and cherry notes, this Bordeaux wine should drink well shortly after release. 88-89 Pts

Medium bodied with plum, black raspberry and cherry notes, this Bordeaux wine should drink well shortly after release. 88-89 Pts

3,305 Views   Tasted
2009
90
This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc has really improved since my last taste. Packed with aromas of licorice, flowers, plum and chocolate, the wine is supple, already open and delivers an elegant, supple finish. Drinking it, I found myself thinking of Catherine Pere Verge who passed away earlier this year. The grand dame of Pomerol is definitely missed.

This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc has really improved since my last taste. Packed with aromas of licorice, flowers, plum and chocolate, the wine is supple, already open and delivers an elegant, supple finish. Drinking it, I found myself thinking of Catherine Pere Verge who passed away earlier this year. The grand dame of Pomerol is definitely missed.

3,705 Views   Tasted
Smoke, earth, truffle and cherry, medium bodied with a soft, forward cherry personality.

Smoke, earth, truffle and cherry, medium bodied with a soft, forward cherry personality.

3,316 Views   Tasted
2009 Montviel is this property’s second vintage using micro-vinification. The wine kicks off with aromas of jammy berries, licorice, and espresso. The wine has round textures, but some dryness intrudes in the finish. 87/89 Pts

2009 Montviel is this property’s second vintage using micro-vinification. The wine kicks off with aromas of jammy berries, licorice, and espresso. The wine has round textures, but some dryness intrudes in the finish. 87/89 Pts

1,733 Views   Tasted
2008
87
Fully developed. medium bodied with a focus on its light, fresh earthy red cherry and plum fruits. Drink this over the next few years..

Fully developed. medium bodied with a focus on its light, fresh earthy red cherry and plum fruits. Drink this over the next few years..

2,202 Views   Tasted
2008 Montviel is a medium bodied, lighter style of Pomerol that is best enjoyed in its youth for its soft textures, chocolate, black raspberry and spice character. 89 Pts

2008 Montviel is a medium bodied, lighter style of Pomerol that is best enjoyed in its youth for its soft textures, chocolate, black raspberry and spice character. 89 Pts

2,919 Views   Tasted
2006
86
Fully developed with a tobacco, earth, herb and olive nose, the wine needs consumption sooner than later, so you can enjoy the rest of the earthy, plummy fruits.

Fully developed with a tobacco, earth, herb and olive nose, the wine needs consumption sooner than later, so you can enjoy the rest of the earthy, plummy fruits.

3,640 Views   Tasted
2005
87
Fully mature, medium bodied, soft textured, earthy wine that ends with plums and licorice in the finish. This requires consumption over the next few years 3-5 years.

Fully mature, medium bodied, soft textured, earthy wine that ends with plums and licorice in the finish. This requires consumption over the next few years 3-5 years.

3,839 Views   Tasted