2018, Château Montlandrie, CASTILLON CÔTES DE BORDEAUX

Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon.

The 2018 Montlandrie is plump, racy and so expressive. Inky dark fruit, mocha, chocolate, liquorice and spice are all kicked up in this sumptuous, bold Côtes de Castillon. Time brings out attractive floral top notes. I would give the tannins a few years to soften. There is a lot to look forward to in this gorgeous Côtes de Castillon from the Durantou family. 91 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2021).

The 2018 Montlandrie has the ripest bouquet of the late Denis Durantou’s 2018s , featuring copious black cherries mingled with blueberry and blood orange scents, almost exotic considering the growing season. The palate is well balanced with dark black fruit, hints of pencil lead becoming more prominent toward the finish, where, as I remarked from barrel, the wood component is just a little too vocal. Give it 2–3 years in bottle. 90 Neal Martin, Vinous (2021).

Produced by the late Denis Durantou of Château L’Eglise Clinet, the 2018 Montlandrie is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 14.5% alcohol, and it was aged in 40% new oak. Deep garnet-purple coloured, it comes storming out of the glass with powerful scents of stewed black plums, boysenberries, blackberry preserves and mocha, giving way to hints of tar, tobacco leaf and black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with earth-laced black fruits, supported by finely grained tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. Delicious! 92 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (2021).

The slight austerity of limestone is evident, in a vintage where this was an effective balance to the hot and dry summer. The fruit is precise, spliced open red cherry and raspberry, with tomato leaf aromatics emphasised by fresh acidities. These are classic in limestone wines with both Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, particularly as Castillon is a little cooler than St-Emilion, and I suggest giving a few years to soften, but there is an excellent core of ripe fruit here, and it's a lovely wine. 5% Cabernet Sauvignon in this vintage; 40% new oak. 92 Jane Anson, Decanter (2020).

Drinking Window: 2023 - 2033