| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The Côtes de Castillon vineyard of famous Pomerol winemaker Denis Durantou of L'Eglise Clinet (first vintage was 2009). This 11 hectare vineyard has 25 year old vines - 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% of a new clone of Cabernet Sauvignon that Denis planted in 2009. Always modestly priced, this is a wine that gives brilliant value for money. The cooler terroir meant that picking took place after it had finished in Pomerol, from October 1st to 8th. A little over 4000 cases will be produced. Maturation in 40% new oak.
A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Montlandrie is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of swirling and coaxing to wake a sleeping monster nose of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and fruitcake, followed by nuances of licorice, menthol, and Indian spices. The full-bodied palate possesses surprising grace and brightness for this hot vintage, with wonderful tension and silky tannins, finishing with epic length.
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. Drink 2023-2040.
Tasted at the Chateau. In contrast to the '17 this is bold and ripe, with polished dark cherry, kirsch and incense tones on the nose. The palate has a chalky depth, with impressive and intense fruit that is never overboard. Layers of wood spice, black cherry and cocoa all come through on the spicy finish. With air this gets better and better, opening up higher toned but still dark fruit as the broad tannins soften and relax into the wine.
This is beautifully crafted for this appellation with soft, fine tannins that give the wine tension and focus. It’s medium-to full-bodied with polish and finesse. Really nicely done for this appellation. Give it another two or three years to soften even more. Try after 2022.
Tasted blind. Relatively complex nose. Concentrated and rather left-bank-like. Drier than most Pomerols rather than luscious. But good wine! GV 14.5%
Drink 2026 – 2043
Darkest cherry red. Spicy black fruit with a mineral note of lead pencils. Power-packed with tannins but finer on the finish than the Chenade. Really chewy and compact but has freshness as well. Hard work now. 14.5%
Drink 2025-2032
Deep ruby in colour, with pure cherries and plums, fresh white pepper and subtle toasty oak on the nose. The palate is supple and sweet, with fleshy, juicy fruit at the core and polished but grippy tannins providing the structure. Waves of crisp acidity add great freshness and lift, taming the more exotic edge to the fruit. The finish is long and spicy, with a wonderful savoury edge that adds real intrigue.
Impressive notes of cassis, graphite, crushed rocks, and floral characteristics all dominate the 2018 Château Montlandrie, which is 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon being brought up in 40% new barrels. It's balanced and has classic limestone influenced minerality and structure followed by a beautiful finish. This terrific Castillon is well worth seeking out, and I suspect it will evolve nicely for 10-15 years.
(75 Merlot, 20 Cabernet Franc, 5 Cabernet Sauvignon) | 40% new oak | 14.5% alc | 55500 bottles were produced | The Merlot was picked between the 1st and 5th October and the Cabernet Franc was picked on the 8th October The tannins are incredibly commanding here, but if you can see past them the fruit is insanely beautiful and dramatic. With amazing complexity and layers and layers of red fruit, this is a luxurious wine with staggering grip and it will repay only the most patient of collectors.
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 colored, 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! Drink 2023-2037.
The 2018 Montlandrie, the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux from Denis Durantou, was picked October 1-5, the Cabernet on October 8, and matured in 40% new oak. This has a limpid color in the glass. It is clean and precise on the tightly wound nose, veins of blood orange infusing the black currant and raspberry aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with mainly black fruit, grippy tannins and a citric edge. There is just a touch of new oak to be assimilated on the finish; otherwise this is a very fine Castillon. 2023 - 2040
This shows a really beautiful core of ripe fruit with dark chocolate and blueberries. Full body and firm, chewy tannins. Flavorful finish.
Produced by 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 is currently aging in 40% new oak. Deep purple-black in color, it features fragrant notes of lilacs, Morello cherries and blueberry compote over a core of plum preserves and woodsmoke plus a waft of underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate is richly fruited with black and blue fruits, lifted by earthy accents and lovely freshness, finishing long and velvety textured.
