Montlandrie 2013

This is extremely well done for a difficult year with white pepper, chalk and hints of white truffle. Medium body, fine tannins and a savory finish. Drink now or hold.

The 2013 Montlandrie offers impressive fruit concentration on the nose with raspberry coulis and crushed strawberry, although maybe it does not quite own the same delineation as the 2013 Les Cruzelles at this stage. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, gently gripping the mouth, leading into a cedar-tinged, quite assertive finish that suggests another couple of years in bottle will do this Côtes de Castillon no harm at all.

Denis Durantou's Cotes de Castillon is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon (the latter from first pick from vines planted in 2009) harvested between 5 and 9 October. Here we are in red fruit territory on the nose, with crushed strawberry and redcurrant scents interlaced beautifully with the oak. The palate is medium-bodied with sweet ripe tannins. It does not quite have the complexity or nuance as the Les Cruzelles, although there is good body and weight towards the finish. Fine.