Château Montlandrie 2018

The slight austerity of limestone is evident, in a vintage where this was an effective balance to the hot and dry summer. The fruit is precise, spliced-open red cherry and raspberry, with tomato leaf aromatics emphasised by fresh acidity. These are classic in limestone wines with both Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, particularly as Castillon is a little cooler than St-Emilion, and I suggest giving a few years to soften, but there is an excellent core of ripe fruit here, and it's a lovely wine. 5% Cabernet Sauvignon in this vintage; 40% new oak.

This is beautifully crafted for this appellation with soft, fine tannins that give the wine tension and focus. It’s medium- to full-bodied with polish and finesse. Really nicely done for this appellation. Give it another two or three years to soften even more. Try after 2022.

75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon; 40% new oak. Barrel sample. Darkest cherry red. Spicy black fruit with a mineral note of lead pencils. Power-packed with tannins but finer on the finish than the Chenade. Really chewy and compact but has freshness as well. Hard work now. (JH)

The 2018 Montlandrie has the ripest bouquet of the late Denis Durantou’s 2018s, featuring copious black cherries mingled with blueberry and blood orange scents, almost exotic considering the growing season. The palate is well balanced with dark black fruit, hints of pencil lead becoming more prominent toward the finish, where, as I remarked from barrel, the wood component is just a little too vocal. Give it 2–3 years in bottle.

If you know a better Right Bank for the money at this level of quality, let me know. Here, you find a lush, opulently textured wine filled with plum, chocolate, licorice, and black cherry that lingers. There is a lot of character here, and the wine sells for a song. Drink from 2023–2033.

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.

Kunz barrel sample 19: (75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, production 55,500 bottles, 14.5% alc./vol.) Fresh, powerful bouquet of strawberries, light tobacco and chocolate. Velvety, dense, fruity palate with creamy, sweet fruit, fine tannins, delicate aromatics, elegant structure and a fresh finish.

(75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, production 55,500 bottles, 14.5% vol. alcohol) Fresh, powerful bouquet, strawberries, light tobacco, chocolate. Velvety, dense, fruity palate with creamy, sweet fruit, fine tannins, delicate aromatics, elegant structure, fresh finish. 17/20 2024 - 2042

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.

A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Montlandrie is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of swirling and coaxing to wake a sleeping monster nose of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and fruitcake, followed by nuances of licorice, menthol, and Indian spices. The full-bodied palate possesses surprising grace and brightness for this hot vintage, with wonderful tension and silky tannins, finishing with epic length.

Subtle, complex bouquet with notes of red berries followed by floral nuances. On the palate, the wine is elegant, creamy, and perfectly balanced. It may not have its usual verve, but it shows elegance, powerful tannins, and freshness on the finish. I believe the wine deserves a bit of cellaring to gain in aromatic expression.