Chateau Montlandrie, Cotes de Castillon, 2020
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
The 2020 Montlandrie has an intense spearmint-scented bouquet that feels just a bit one-dimensional at the moment. Perhaps it is going through a dumb phase? The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannins, a bit dry and stolid toward the finish. I wonder if the fruit might fade before the tannins polymerize? I gave this a tentative reception before, and this seems to vindicate that it's not the best Montlandrie in recent years. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
The 2020 Montlandrie is a promising wine for aficionados who can keep it for a few years in the cellar. It has aromas of blackberries, iris, spring flowers, blackcurrant and blueberry, followed by a medium-bodied, concentrated and layered texture on the palate with a denser character than previous vintages. Its harmonious with a clean and precise finish.
The 2020 Montlandrie is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, it features powerful notes of crushed red and black currants, boysenberries, and garrigue, plus suggestions of fallen leaves, Sichuan pepper, and iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut with mouth-coating black fruit, supported by firm, grainy tannins, finishing with a refreshing lift.
Intense and concentrated, blueberry and blackberry fruits lifted by strands of saffron and oyster shell, austere on the finish, good stuff. 40% new oak, harvest September 18 to 25, 45hl/ha yield, 3.6ph. Noemie Durantou winemaker alongside Olivier Gautrat.