Full-bodied and tight for the vintage and appellation with plenty of rust, salt and fruit character. Long and flavorful. Minerally flavors are persistent! – jamessuckling.com, Feb 2015

(75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc; 50% new oak): Vivid ruby-red. Captivating strawberry and floral aromas are fresh, clean and precise, with zippy minerality adding complexity. Rich, dense and perfumed on the palate, with bright red berry, mineral, cocoa and violet flavors echoing nicely on the lingering, fragrant finish. The cabernet franc on the clay-calcareous soils of Montlandrie really dominates the merlot here; owner Denis Durantou says he doesn't like to add more than 25% franc because he fears a synergy with the herbaceous notes of merlot, which would risk the development of garlicky and vegetal notes. This very refined wine has been consistently excellent in recent years.

A solid version, with a brambly spine driving the dark plum and raspberry fruit flavors along, while licorice snap and fruitcake notes fill in on the finish. Shows a judicious hint of roasted apple wood. Drink now through 2017. 2,500 cases made. – James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, April 2015)

Bright, lifed nose and again the mouth has a good weight and density. Really solid fruit and juicy fruit – real freshness. Good quality as you’d expect from Denis Durantou: he really has these small estates performing.

The Montlandrie was picked between 9th and 12 of October, a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc aged in 50% new oak. The bouquet is more sedate and more reserved than the Les Cruzelles or La Chenade at this stage – you have to coax out the aromas more. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite supple tannins. The acidity is just about perfect and there is great poise on the grippy, saline finish. Fine. – eRobertParker.com, May 2013

From the famous Pomerol producer and owner of L’Eglise Clinet, Denis Durantou has turned out a Castillon made from a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Typical of his wines, the terrific purity, texture and overall equilibrium are flawless. Deep ruby/purple-tinged, with sweet black cherry, plum and black currant fruit, the wine has vivid purity, good acidity and ripe tannin. It is medium-bodied, opulent and best drunk over the next 5-7 years.

75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, on clay and limestone. Restrained on the nose with just a touch of cassis. Dark and dry on the palate, firm and savoury and not very giving but has a rather attractive severity. Firm, dry finish. Drink: 2016-2022 – jancisrobinson.com, April 2013