Chateau Montlandrie, Cotes de Castillon, 2021
The 'entry level' wines, that is to say the wines not produced at the Durantou flagship Pomerol estate, Chateau L'Eglise Client, are always rank amongst our 'best value' buys. Saintayme, Chenade, Cruzelles and Montlandrie offer excellent value for money. Since Denis' death, his long-term collaborator, Olivier Gautrat has stepped up to assist Noémie and Constance. He describes 2021 as "Equilibre", a vintage of perfect balance. Montlandrie was a particular labour of love for Denis. We remember when he bought these vines and have watched with interest as he planted his 'Ferrari' Cabernet clones. Produced from 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 possesses a cool, structured core of dark, savoury fruit. There's admirable intensity, lots of character and a really fine seam of acidity.
critic reviews
A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Montlandrie is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs swirling to coax out notes of fresh black cherries, black raspberries, and red plums, leading to touches of charcoal, lilacs, and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate is vibrant, perfumed, and refreshing with soft, rounded tannins and a long ferrous finish. Nice!
Cloves and liqourice on the opening beats, with savoury blueberry and redcurrant fruits, and Cabernet Sauvignon tomato leaf and pencil lead making an impact. These wines are really proof of how good the Durantou stable is, standout 2021s for me, playing with finesse and drinkability. Harvest September 30 to October 8. 50% new oak.
The 2021 Montlandrie initially shows just a touch of reduction on the nose, but it gradually opens in the glass to reveal that mélange of red and black fruit, hints of licorice and pain d’épices, quite complex though not intense. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannins. This has a fine line of acidity, nicely poised, very fresh and saline toward the finish with a dash of black pepper on the aftertaste. This has meliorated a little during its élevage, and it should drink well for 12 to 15 years.
The 2021 Montlandrie, a blend of 75% Merlot (picked between the 30th of September and the 8th of October), 20% Cabernet Franc (picked on the 4th of October), and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon (picked on the 7th of October), reveals a dark, somber character with aromas of spices, pencil lead, licorice and wild dark berries. Enrobing and structuring with a medium-bodied palate, its elegantly concentrated with a fleshy core of fruit and a mineral, saline finish. Recommended.
product details
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