Chateau Montlandrie, Cotes de Castillon, 2016
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
Although it has the same qualitative style as Les Cruzelles or La Chenade, the 2016 Montlandrie, offers aromas of flowers, plum, graphite and menthol, as well as a more chalky texture. Its pure, clean, long and fleshy with powdery tannins and a long, saline finish. Theres no reason to wait.
Montlandrie 2016 is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and has a deep garnet color. It rolls effortlessly out of the glass with ready-to-go scents of baked black plums, blueberry preserves, and cassis, plus touches of garrigue, pencil shavings, and fallen leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock full of expressive black and blue fruits with a velvety texture and seamless freshness, finishing with a minty kick.
The 2016 Montlandrie is laced with the essence of inky blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and licorice. Pliant and fruity, with striking depth, the 2016 is another gorgeous wine in this set of new releases from Denis Durantou. The 2016 is irresistibly beautiful, exotic and beguiling. It's as simple as that.