Chateau Montlandrie, Cotes de Castillon, 2017

This is the third vintage made by Noémie Durantou and Olivier Gautrat, and for us the most successful range to date. From the juicy griotte character of the Saintayme to the imperious L'Eglise Clinet, every wine displays its distinctive terroir signature with aplomb. Of all the Durantou satellite wines, Montlandrie is perhaps the most consistently high performing. The blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon planted on Castillon clay soils yields wonderful, intriguing aromas of creme de mûre, smoke and black plum. This is taut and powerful with plenty of concentration and a persistence to the powdery, cassis and mineral infused tannins. Perhaps a little more backward than others in the range, this composed, reserved Montlandrie has masses of potential.