Produced by 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 is currently aging in 40% new oak. Deep purple-black in color, it features fragrant notes of lilacs, Morello cherries and blueberry compote over a core of plum preserves and woodsmoke plus a waft of underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate is richly fruited with black and blue fruits, lifted by earthy accents and lovely freshness, finishing long and velvety textured. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, April 2019, The Wine Advocate

This shows a really beautiful core of ripe fruit with dark chocolate and blueberries. Full body and firm, chewy tannins. Flavorful finish. - April 2019

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!

The medium-bodied 2018 Château Malartic-Lagravière comes from high-density plantings on gravelly soils and is a rough blend at this point of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc representing only 55% of the total production. Elegant notes of dark fruits (cassis, blackberries), gravelly earth, and forest floor all flow to a seamless Graves that has good balance, some grainy tannins, good mid-palate density, and ample length. It’s certainly going to be an outstanding wine. Tasted twice. - jebdunnuck.com, May 2019

The 2018 Montlandrie is plump, racy and so expressive. Inky dark fruit, mocha, chocolate, licorice and spice are all kicked up in this sumptuous, bold Côtes de Castillon. Time brings out attractive floral top notes. I would give the tannins a few years to soften. There is a lot to look forward to in this gorgeous Côtes de Castillon from the Durantou family.

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.

Sweetly fruited and intense, carrying dense tannins and good freshness. This is one for the patient. - April 2019

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)