Tasting Note:
This is the first vintage since the untimely death of Denis Durantou. His daughters, Noémie and Constance have taken the reins, ably assisted by Denis’ long standing collaborator Olivier Gautrat. Noémie sums up the vintage as “Green buds in February, constant rain in spring, the aridity of summer and a mid-September harvest: wines of freshness and brightness, like a dense and colorful garden, vivacity, fruits and flowers in the rain.” Her first full vintage in charge has been a huge success. Montlandrie was very much a labour of love for Denis. He planted the vineyards high up above Castillon himself. We remember being impressed by early vintages, but it wasn’t until the 2015 that this started to get recognition from critics. The “Ferrari” Cabernet clones that Denis planted lend this an extra aromatic quality as well as lift and energy on the palate. Lots of beautiful, sweet, Cabernet fruit: crème de cassis, flowers and graphite. Pure and long, yet fresh and bright, bursting with crunchy berries wrapped up in fruit laced tannins. A really charming and refreshing Montlandrie, full of lift and energy.
"Denis Durantou estate up on the limestone plateau of Castillon, now vinified by his daughter Noémie Durantou. Deeply coloured, ruby in colour with fleshy fruit, not giving a whole lot away right now, but this is a fairly discreet vintage in many ways. The dominant impression is of a rough linen and wet stone texture that reflects its limestone soils. Width and depth as it opens in the palate, serious for now but with plenty to give. A yield of 45hl/ha. 3.6pH. Drinking Window 2023 - 2035" 93/100 - Jane Anson, Decanter.com