Château Montlandrie 2018

Château Montlandrie is a truly stunning value-driven wine in the satellite appellation of the Côtes de Castillon.  This wonderful producer was the legendary vigneron Denis Durantou’s first purchase within this far-east reaching appellation of the Right Bank. Denis Durantou was a forward thinking visionary, who produced stunning wines at accessible price points in a region with some of the most exorbitantly priced wines in the entire world.  If one could describe the way Denis Durantou approached his properties, it would be with a tremendous sense of integrity.  Château Montlandrie is no exception, and easily one of the best values within the Right Bank.  Accessible when young, yet perfect with just a few years of bottle age, Château Montlandrie is truly a hidden gem for bargain hunters.

Château Montlandrie has a longer history that dates back to the 1800s when it was founded by an Italian family.  The property remained relatively obscure until the 21st Century, when Denis Durantou purchased Château Montlandrie in 2009.  The Côtes de Castillon was an exciting region and considered the most promising out of all the satellite appellations in Bordeaux.  It’s no wonder Denis Durantou saw so much potential here.   With its rich soils, high elevation, and gently sloping vineyards, Château Montlandrie was a diamond hidden in the rough. Shortly after the estate was added to the already prestigious list of Durantou properties including L’Eglise Clinet, Saintayme, and Les Cruzelles to name a few, Denis began implementing his magic touch in the vineyards.  Denis Durantou had a wonderful understanding of the often dismissed varietal, Merlot, and was no stranger to planting it in more mineral driven soils.  He often said, “Merlot can be a rich, heavy wine.  You can treat it with elegance and make a lovely wine.”  This was his approach to working with the varietal, treating it with finesse and respect.  The results of his work speak for themselves, and all his wines featuring Merlot have that light and pretty touch.  At Château Montlandrie, Denis Durantou began using Cabernet Sauvignon in the wine merely four years after acquiring the property, as before it was only Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 

The promise of the terroir at Château Montlandrie is undeniable and comparable to some of the better terroir in Saint-Émilion.  This 12-hectare vineyard sits on the plateau of the Côtes de Castillon.  The terroir is a mixture of clay and limestone soils and Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon thrive here.  The vineyard is planted in one single block and production here is relatively small.  After the vines are harvested, they are vinified in 15 small temperature controlled stainless steel vats that range in size from 24 hectoliters to 82 hectoliters.  The wine is versatile enough to be enjoyed in its youth yet can age up to fifteen years. Château Montlandrie has a beautiful mineral-driven quality to it.  For those who love the freshness of Saint-Émilion wine, coupled with the sensuous textures of Merlot, Château Montlandrie is the perfect wine that overdelivers for the price tag. 

''The Castillon wine owned by the Durantou family, still being made by the late Denis Durantou in 2018, and one to look out for in a vintage that favoured limestone soils. Raspberry and blueberry fruits dominate, with sweet black cherry coming in as it opens, laced with fragrant tomato leaf and mouthwatering wet stone salinity. I love this wine, it is joyful and consistently impressive. 40% new oak, harvested first few days of October.'' Jane Anson, Best Pomerol 2020 Wines Tasted En Primeur  (07/29/2021), Ratings: 93 Drink: 2022-2030

"The 2018 Montlandrie, the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux from Denis Durantou, was picked October 1-5, the Cabernet on October 8, and matured in 40% new oak. This has a limpid color in the glass. It is clean and precise on the tightly wound nose, veins of blood orange infusing the black currant and raspberry aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with mainly black fruit, grippy tannins and a citric edge. There is just a touch of new oak to be assimilated on the finish; otherwise this is a very fine Castillon." - Neal Martin, vionous.com, (November, 2019), Ratings: 90-92, Drink: 2023-2040

"Produced by the late Denis Durantou of Château L’Eglise Clinet, the 2018 Montlandrie is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 14.5% alcohol, and it was aged in 40% new oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes storming out of the glass with powerful scents of stewed black plums, boysenberries, blackberry preserves and mocha, giving way to hints of tar, tobacco leaf and black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with earth-laced black fruits, supported by finely grained tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. Delicious!." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (03/31/2021), Ratings: 92

''Another Castillon release from the talented Denis Durantou, the 2018 Château Montlandrie is based on 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a classic, earthy minerality as well as wonderful black cherry and mulberry fruits, medium-bodied richness, juicy aromas and flavors, moderate tannins, and a layered, balanced, undeniably delicious style. It's going to drink well for 10-15 years, although there's no need to delay gratification.'' Jeb Dunnuck, 2018 Bordeaux From The Bottle 3/11/2021) Ratings: 91 Drink: 2021-2036