Flowers, black licorice, blackberries and minerals all rise to the surface. Transparent. Medium to full bodied, polished and ultra-fine. This is a wine guided for a long time by the owner of Pomerol’s l’Eglise Clinet. Regal. Drink now or hold.

The 2015 Montlandrie is another stellar wine from Denis Durantou. Dark, sumptuous and alluring, the 2015 is going to be virtually impossible to resist in its youth. The blackberry jam, graphite, savory herb, lavender, licorice and crushed rock flavors are remarkably rich and vivid in the glass. As good as the 2015 is today, it also has tons of underlying tannin that is going to need a bit of time to resolve itself. The blend is 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. vinous.com, February 2018

Great-value estate in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux run by Denis Durantou (l'Eglise Clinet). Spiced, mineral nose lifted by wild strawberry and deep damson. Firm, sweet tannins. Intense black cherry and strawberry fruit, finishing fresh and elegant. (75% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.)

The 2015 Montlandrie is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked between September 29 and October 8, and matured in 45% new oak. This is perhaps more precocious on the nose compared to Denis Durantou's La Chenade and Les Cruzelles 2015s, gradually revealing an attractive floral, dried rose petal/pot pourri scent as it opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite grippy in the mouth, the acidity nicely judged here and again, very harmonious and sensual on the finish. You could almost whisk this out of barrel and drink this now, but preferably, give it 4-5 years in bottle.

There's some zing to this, with black currant, cherry and plum fruit laced with a mouthwatering note of dried anise. This gets a floral lift through the finish, with a graphite note building as well.

Denis Durantou. 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 45% new oak.
Dark healthy crimson. Sweet and open on the nose - charming even without great concentration. Very sweet start with marked acidity. Not, unlike some Castillons, like a St-Émilion. But competently made.
Drink 2020-2026